Definition

• Phrase searching is the process of searching for any phrase (name, title, quote, etc.) in a datbase.
• Many databases can be searched for specific phrases, including:
  • Titles
  • Common or recognized phrases (such as "to be or not to be") in literature
  • Slogans (such as "just do it")
  • Colloquial or slang phrases (such as "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch)
  • Scientific phrases
• This is particularly useful when searching a database containing full-text documents.

Usage

• Phrase searching is usually done with specific punctuation marks.
• A common way is to put double quotes " " around words to be searched on only as a phrase.

Example

• AltaVista, http://www.altavista.com, as an example, allows the searching of phrases by:
  • Putting double quotes " " around the series of words
  • Example:
    • "Once upon a time"
• Google, http//www.google.com, allows the searching of phrases by:
  • Putting double quotes " " around the series of words.
  • Example:
    • "Once upon a time"
  • Installing punctuation between the words. [Try out various punctuation symbols.]
  • Example:
    • Once-upon-a-time