narrowing search options
 

In using search engines, usually torrent sites, I get all kinds of variations of search words I submit, but can't figure how to limit the search. I've tried asterisks on both ends, various punctuation, etc. but still get all kinds of junk. Any ideas? Thanks!

You want to use quote marks, but do you have an example we can play with, to give you a better idea?

Use the Google advanced search option: it allows you to search any indexed site, and to select the keywords you are looking for, and omit those that you are not.

Go to Extratorrents, use the word Beth as target. You get Bethe, Bethany, Elizabeth, etc. in addition to Beth.

Add more -words to narrow your search parameters.

Here is an search example using only the info you have supplied so far.