Proximity searching allows you to search for two or more search terms within a specified number of words from each other.
Proximity search operators include:
- Near (N) = ignores word order
- Within (W) = maintains word order
Use a number with a letter in order to specify the maximum number of words to appear between your search terms, such as:
- psychotherapy N8 benefit
- arts W5 school
This type of searching can help narrow your results and make them more relevant. For example, instead of searching tax AND reform, search for:
- tax W4 reform
- Pathways to tax reform revisited
- Tax law and healthcare reform