Natural Language (the FREESTYLE™ feature) - Description

Natural Language (the FREESTYLE™ feature) lets you enter a search description in plain English, just the way you might describe it to someone else. You can use Natural Language in virtually all LexisNexis® services, including news, business and financial sources as well as case law, statutes, administrative material and more. Natural Language lets you create your own search description while eliminating the need for using connectors and search logic.

If you use Natural Language in the LexisNexis® Academic or Nexis® services, and your search contains five or fewer terms, the search runs with an implied AND connector between the terms. If your search contains six or more terms, the search runs with an implied OR connector.

For example, you could enter the following as a search using Natural Language:

Can children sign contracts?

Only documents that include all of the entered terms are included in the answer set.

Or, you could enter the following as a search using Natural Language:

Under what circumstances can biological parents regain custody of their adopted children after an adoption?

Documents that include any of the terms are retrieved in the answer set.

If applicable to your search, enter the requested information on the Enter Search Terms screen to:

  • Edit Search Description
  • Enter/edit Required or Mandatory Terms
  • Enter/edit Restrictions (i.e., date)
  • Enter synonyms and Related Concepts

From the search results screen, you have the option to:

  • Browse documents in SuperKWIC™
  • View location of search terms in documents
  • View number of documents with search terms
  • Change document order

Use Natural Language when:

  • You want to research conceptual issues rather than highly specific topics.
  • You are starting to research a complex issue and you are unsure of what words to use.
  • You are unsure how to formulate a search using connectors.
  • You want to obtain help in writing a search description, including automatic phrase identification and access to an online thesaurus.
  • You want to supplement a Boolean search to ensure thorough results.
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    NOTE:

    Not all LexisNexis® products support searching with Natural Language (the FREESTYLE ™feature).

    Consult your product Help for additional information about using Natural Language (the FREESTYLE™ feature).