Proximity operators also vary by database, but some common ones include:
w# = with
- With specifies that words appear in the order you type them in.
- Substitute the # with a number of words that may appear in between. If no number is given, then it specifies an exact phrase.
- Examples:
genetic w engineering (searches the phrase genetic engineering)
Hillary w2 Clinton (retrieves Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, etc.)
n# = near
- Near specifies that the words may appear in any order.
- Substitute the # with a number of words that may appear in between.
- Examples:
cloning n3 human (retrieves cloning of humans, human cloning, etc.)
Consult the database Help screens to find out how to search by phrases or to specify proximity.