Match Word Without Numbers Before It

[Scooby08]

It seems so simple, but just cannot get this figured out..

 

In the following I'm trying to match the word "space" that does not contain numbers in the word before it..

 

161 space rd <-- no match

209 summit ave space 6 <-- match

 

Ultimately am trying to match (lot|unit|spc|space|ste|suite|bldg|building) that do not have numbers in the word before them..

 

Close example..

(if this contains a number, no match)\s(lot|unit|spc|space|ste|suite|bldg|building)

 

Thanks so much!

Edited December 12, 2012 by Scooby08

[Scooby08]

I'm sorry, the example I sent should be like so:

 

(if this contains all numbers (civic#), no match)\s(lot|unit|spc|space|ste|suite|bldg|building)

 

Thanks..

[requinix]

Normally the easiest solution is

(?<!...)

is a "negative lookbehind assertion", and forces the engine to only consider cases where that ... does not match. But its biggest drawback prevents its use here: it cannot be variable length. Like

(?<!(^|\s)\S+\d\S+)

 

So the next best thing: a non-capturing group.

(??<=^|\s)[^\s\d]+\d\S+)\s(lot|unit|spc|...)

 

[edit] Entirely numbers? Makes it easier.

(??<=^|\s)[^\s\d]+\s(lot|unit|spc|...)

Edited December 12, 2012 by requinix