Proximity Searching (NEAR, FOLLOWED BY, EXACT)

Proximity searching allows you to:

• combine search terms using the two proximity operators NEAR and FOLLOWED BY (FBY). Enter the required terms separated by the proximity operator you wish to use.
• search for a precise term using the EXACT operator. Enter EXACT "search term" into the relevant search box.

You can specify the maximum number of words you want to allow between the terms by entering a full stop followed by the required number after the operator, for example; near.4. When executing a phrase proximity search, the Patrologia Latina counts the number of words between the first word of the first phrase and the first word of the second phrase.

Note: If no maximum is set, the software will retrieve all records 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:

FOLLOWED BY

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

Note: The FOLLOWED BY operator can be entered either in full or in its shortened form FBY.

For example:

EXACT

The EXACT operator enables you to search for a precise term. If you precede your search term with EXACT, hits will be retrieved for that term only, and not for any variations on that term.

For example: