Skip to Main Content

Research as a Process: Terms & Connectors

Basic Connectors on Westlaw and Lexis

Search Tips

  1. Both systems default to a natural language search if connectors are not included between terms, but all will also permit terms and connectors searching.
  2. The table below shows connectors in lower case except for when all caps must be used for the connector to work properly. 
  3. In Westlaw, a space is interpreted as n OR connector. In Lexis, how a space is interpreted depends on the other connectors that are present in the search. To be on the safe side, it is best to type out the AND/OR connectors and to enclose phrases in quotes in all three systems, that way you don't have to remember the variations.
  4.  When you enter the singular form of a noun, Lexis and Westlaw automatically search for the singular, plural, and possessive forms of that term (e.g., crime - Lexis and Westlaw also look for crimes). 
  5. If you want to run a terms and connectors search using only the AND/OR connectors in Westlaw, start your search with advanced
Concept Description Westlaw Lexis Use

and

 both terms must be present and
&		 and
&		 trademark AND infringement
or either term must be present space
or		 or car OR automobile in all three systems
and not exclude a term %
but not		 and not
%
but not		 collateral AND NOT estoppel; collateral % estoppel
same sentence terms must be in same sentence /s /s cat /s dog
same paragraph terms must be in same paragraph /p /p cat /p dog

within "n" 

terms must be within specified number of words

n=number

 /n /n cat /5 dog

pre/n

 terms must be within specified number of words and in the order specified +n pre/n john pre/3 roberts;john +3 roberts
phrase exact phrase " " " " "sheep dog"
root expander expand the root word by any number of letters ! !, * shep! = shepherd, shepherding, etc.
universal character  variation for a single character * ? wom*n would find woman or women
processing order grouping search terms ( ) ( ) (car OR automobile)
at least there must be at least "n" appearances of a term or phrase ATLEASTn ATLEASTn atleast6(termination)

 

Reference Appointments

The Taggart Law Library is here to help! Schedule an appointment with a librarian or chat with us using our online chat feature. Open to ONU Law students, faculty, staff, and alumni. 

chat loading...