? Matches any single character * Matches zero or more arbitrary characters [xyz] Matches x or y or z [a-z] Matches anything in the alphabet [^az] Matches anything except a or z {...} Like *, except matches only the described characters e.g., {[0-9]} matches any collection of numbers \? Matches a real ?; \[ matches a real [ , etc examples: [0-4]4[0-4]* finds flamable HMISs *Methy*Acid finds any name in which methy precides the final word acid, possibly with something before the methy