At its simplest, a query can be just a word or a phrase. But with the tips on this page, you can expand the focus of your query to give you more complete results. 

1. Look for words with the same prefix. For example, in your query form type key* to find key, keying, keyhole, keyboard, and so on.

2. Search for all forms of a word. For example, in the form type sink** to find sink, sinking, sank, and sunk.

3. Refine your queries with search operator words AND NOT to exclude certain text from your search. For example, if you want to find all instances of state but not of Wisconsin, enter the following query:

state and not "of wisconsin"

4. Add search operator word OR to find all instances of either one word or another, for example:

Example: Abbott OR Costello
This query finds all pages that mention Abbott or Costello or both.

5. Put quotation marks around search operator words if you want the search to be taken literally. For instance, if you type the following query:

"sidewalks and highways"

The search will literally look for the complete phrase 'sidewalks and highways'.  If you type the same query without the quotation marks:

sidewalks and highways

The search will search all documents for the words sidewalks and highways.

6. Put quotation marks around searches for exact phrases:

Example: "breach of contract"