OCLC FirstSearch: Help

Adjacent terms (proximity)

To find terms within a certain distance of other terms, use the proximity operators w or n followed by a number. You can string together multiple terms and proximity operators, such as curator n2 art w3 forgery, and you can use phrases with a proximity operator, such as space shuttle n4 orbit.

W (with)

Type w between two terms to search for records containing both terms, in the order typed, with no words between them. Type w and a number (1-25) between two terms to search for records containing both terms, in the order typed, with no more than that number of other words between them.

If you type: FirstSearch searches for:
aluminum w wiring  records containing first aluminum and then wiring with no other words between them 
aluminum w2 wiring  records containing first aluminum and then wiring with no more than two other words between them 

N (near)

Type n between two terms to search for records containing both terms, in any order, with no words between them. Type n and a number (1-25) between two terms to search for records containing both terms, in any order, with no more than that number of other words between them.

If you type: FirstSearch searches for:
overview n 1998  records containing overview and 1998 with either word appearing first and with no other words between them 
chicken n3 egg  records containing chicken and egg with either word appearing first and with no more than three other words between them 

 

 

 

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