sub check_string($word) { foreach $chr (split //, $word) { $check .= $chr; if whole_word($check) { push @phrase, $check; $rem = substr($word, length($check), length($word) - length($check)); check_string($remainder); } elsif not_valid($check) { @phrase = (); return; } } print "@phrase\n"; @phrase = (); } #### m valid partial string, so continue my found a whole word, so push and recurse @phrase = ("my") c valid partial string, so continue ca valid partial string, so continue car found a whole word, so push and recurse @phrase = ("my", "car") r valid partial string, so continue ro valid partial string, so continue rot found a whole word, so push at end of string, so print valid phrase @phrase = ("my", "car", "rot") (backup to last iteration and continue) @phrase = ("my") carr valid partial string, so continue carro valid partial string, so continue carrot found a whole so push at end of string, so print valid phrase ("my", "carrot") back to last iteration and continue) @phrase = () myc invalid partial string, so quit @phrase = ()