> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.cabi.org/cabi-digital-library-help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.cabi.org/cabi-digital-library-help/search/word-stemming.md). # Word Stemming {% embed url="" fullWidth="false" %} Short video illustrating how word stemming works {% endembed %} *** Stemming involves reducing query terms to their most basic form, or stem, and using this to identify all the derivatives of that word such a plurals which should be considered a match. For example, searching for > *initialization* will also return results for *initialize*, *initials*, etc. Results matching the exact query term searched *initialization* will rank higher than its derivatives in the search results list. Stemming can be disabled by using double quotes around words or phrases. Thus it is possible to search for a precise variant of a word including plurals or singular variants of words, for example > *“dog” NOT dogs.* Word Stemming is enabled by default for all publication text fields, such as full-text and abstract. {% hint style="info" %} Note that [wildcards ](/cabi-digital-library-help/search/truncation-or-using-wildcards-for-searching-with-partial-search-terms.md)are not automatically stemmed. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.cabi.org/cabi-digital-library-help/search/word-stemming.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.