Non-equivalence of targets in vi

[carl]

> All of the operators in vi can be used with nearly any target with count
> modifiers:
> 
>    Operators		Targets
>      c d y	w W e E b B ( ) { } % ^ $ 0 H M L h j k l
> 		f<char> F<char> t<char> T<char> <col>| '<mark>

It would help if you would tell us what version of 'vi' you are using.
The sequence ':ve<CR>' should tell you.  With 3.7 and higher I have not had
your problem.