$num_matches_stuff = $str =~ m/(stuff)/g; @all_the_matches = $str =~ m/(stuff)/g; #### $str = "stuff stuff stuff"; $num_matches_stuff = $str =~ m/(stuff)/g; print $num_matches_stuff; #### $str = "stuff stuff stuff"; while($str =~ m/(stuff)/g) { print "Got one!\n"; }