Use quotes for an exact phrase match (e.g., subject matter eligibility will find all sections that contain the exact phrase).
Leave out quotes for a broad search to find sections where the searched word(s) are mentioned in any order.
To find relevant results faster, try combining phrases (in quotes) and keywords (without quotes)
Search Examples
petition to make special (with quotes) will find all sections that has the exact phrase — in the exact order.
A particular section (or subsection) can be reached by typing the section number or title, e.g., 2143.01 or transitional phrases
restrictions on uspto employees (without quotes) will perform a broad search and display sections that have the searched words in any order (Note: this may cause non-relevant results to be displayed as well).
improper final rejection (combination of a phrase–final rejection–and a keyword ‘improper’) can be used to determine all sections related to a final rejection discussing when it may be improper for an examiner to issue one.
Step 2A prong one to find subject matter eligibility analysis discussing prong one of step 2A. Note: Step 2A prong one would ignore the sections that do not contain the exact phrase, so may not be desirable if variants of the phrase.
Iphone Users
iPhone uses non-standard quotes. You will need to disable “smart punctuation” from System >General > Keyboards to perform an exact phrase search using quotes.