my $data = "Antler embedded in mound at South Street, Avebury, Wiltshire, England. Comment (lab): Collagen fraction used" # should return: "Antler South Street Avebury Wiltshire England Comment Collagen" This doesn't work: $data =~ s/[A-Z]{2,100}//; $data =~ s/[a-z]{2,100}//; $data =~ s/\s+//; print STDOUT $data, "\n";