Phrase searches

Last published : Apr 17, 2026
To search for a phrase, enclose the phrase within double quotation marks. For example:

"cloud computing"

The search returns those items that contain the exact phrase cloud computing.
Note: A search produces unexpected results if it contains nothing between the quotes, or only white space between the quotes.
About stop words and special characters within search phrases
A phrase search that includes stop words or special characters can return any of the following:
  • The exact phrase, including the stop word or special character.
  • The phrase with the supplied stop word or special character replaced by other stop words or special characters.
  • The phrase without the stop word or special character.
For example:
  • The phrase "test and verification" returns items that include the exact phrase, and also phrases such as test not verification,test verification.
  • The phrase with two stop words "cat in the hat" returns items that include the exact phrase, and also phrases such as The cat has no hat, andcat hat.
If the exact phrase occurs in the search results, it is highlighted. Otherwise the phrase is not highlighted.
Note: In phrase searches, the*and?characters are treated as special characters, not wildcards.