Proximity searching (NEAR, FBY)

Proximity searching allows you to combine search terms using the two proximity operators NEAR and FBY (followed by). To execute a proximity search, enter the required terms separated by the proximity operator you wish to use.

You can specify the maximum number of words you want to allow between the terms by entering a period followed by the required number after the operator, for example NEAR.6. When executing a proximity search on phrases, Harper's Magazine Online counts the number of words between the first word of the first phrase and the first word of the second phrase.

If no maximum is set, the software will retrieve all entries where the terms entered are within ten words of each other.

NEAR

The NEAR operator enables you to search for terms situated within a specified distance of each other, and in any order.

For example:
For example:

The first search would retrieve all occurrences of 'mckinley' that appear within ten words of 'assassination'. The second search would retrieve all occurrences of 'music' that appear within five words of 'education'.

FBY

The FBY (followed by) operator enables you to search for terms situated within a specified distance of each other, and in the specified order.

For example:
For example:

The first search would retrieve all occurrences of 'boston' that are directly followed by occurrences of 'symphony'. The second search would retrieve all occurrences of 'war' in which 'relief' appears as one of the next five words.