Position Operators

Position operators are useful when performing searches for items with specific word criteria and placement.

Position

Description

Examples

Has

Match a term within the metadata field search; you must use "( )" around the term.

Equivalent to "=".

slug HAS (Tennis)

Finds all items with Tennis in the Slug, such as:

Wimbledon Tennis Tournament
or
Tennis Elbow on the Rise
or
Nadal Overpowers Federer in Epic Tennis Match

Near

near(#)

before near(#)

after near(#)

 

Match a phrase where Term A is found within # words before or after Term B.

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Note: Do not use ( ) (parentheses) or "  " (quotation marks) around words in Near searches.

  • Tropical near(2) Rainforest

Finds all items where Tropical is located up to two words before or after Rainforest, such as:

Tropical Rainforest
or
Tropical Amazon Rainforest
or
Rainforest with rare Tropical flowers

  • Tottenham before near(1) football

Finds all items where Tottenham is located one word before football, such as Tottenham football.

  • Lords after near(3) House

Finds all items where Lords is located up to three words after House, such as:

House Lords
or
House of Lords
or
House for Scottish Lords

Before

Match a phrase where Term A is found any number of words before Term B.

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Note: Do not use ( ) (parentheses) or "  " (quotation marks) in Before searches.

Parliament before Step

Finds all items where Parliament is located before Step, such as:

Parliament repairs old steps
or
Parliament stepping up patrols
or
Parliament steps on budget proposal

After

Match a phrase where Term A is found any number of words after Term B.

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Note: Do not use ( ) (parentheses) or "  " (quotation marks) in After searches.

night after opening or closing

Finds all items where night is located after opening or closing, such as:

opening performance last night
or
closing night

Adj

Adjacent. Match a phrase where Term A is found next to Term B.

Equivalent to NEAR(1); can be used with BEFORE or AFTER.

  • Israel ADJ Palestine

Finds all items where Israel appears exactly one word before or after Palestine, such as:

Israel-Palestine war
or
Palestine-Israel relations

  • Israel AFTER ADJ Palestine

Finds all items where Israel appears right after Palestine, such as:

Palestine-Israel trade policies
or
Palestine-Israel border

  • Israel BEFORE ADJ Palestine

Finds all items where Israel appears right before Palestine, such as:

Israel-Palestine peace talks
or
Israel, Palestine and Arab diplomacy

 

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Note: The NEAR, BEFORE and AFTER operators cannot be used with metadata field searches.