for (@name) { s/\s+$//; my $int = s/^(\d+\.\s+\w+\s+\w).*$/$1. /; say "int is $int"; } for (@harm) { s/\s+$//; my $int = s/^\d+\.\s+(\w.*)$/was harmed by $1./; say "schmint is $int"; }