Net 2: Find Exact Phrases
Words hang together in predictable ways. If you type a phrase
into the EXACT PHRASE field in Google, you'll be able to locate pages in
which those words appear together in that order. This is obviously useful
for finding things that have a proper name consisting of several words
(e.g., places, book titles, people).
It's also useful when you can remember a distinctive phrase in something you've read, but now need to locate it. What's the rest of the poem that starts with "Jenny kissed me when we met"?
The ability to search for phrases can be surprisingly useful. Do you suspect that something your student turned in was plagiarized, or at least heavily borrowed without attribution? Type in a phrase or two from the paper and see if it turns up elsewhere! You can also check to see if your own work is being copied without your permission.
Another use for this feature: stamping out urban legends. Next time you get an e-mail warning you about a repressive new law about to pass or a vicious computer virus about to attack, check it out before passing on misinformation to others. Type in any unusual or unique phrase you see in the e-mail and see if others have commented on this particular rumor.
You've heard of a fine
public university in the lower left corner of the United States and
you want to know more about it. Try this search... EXACT PHRASE:
San Diego State University Write the number of hits you get
below. Here's how to search for it badly: WITH
ALL: San Diego State
University Here are some more
searches to try: EXACT PHRASE:
let's roll
EXACT PHRASE: Bill 602P
EXACT
PHRASE: stamping out urban legends
EXACT
PHRASE: Jenny kissed me when we met