If you use visual mode, you can do `v3w` to highlight three words, and then you can manipulate that selection before you do something with it, like `d` for delete.

You can also use that with ex commands, like if you do `vap:s/foo/bar/g` you will replace `foo` with `bar` only within the block of code you visually highlighted with `ap` (which I remember as “a paragraph).

So if you want “delete three words”, do `d3w`. If you want “highlight three words” do `v3w` and then issue another command like `d` to do something with what you highlighted.