# escapedPattern(for:) Returns a string by adding backslash escapes as necessary to protect any characters that would match as pattern metacharacters. ``` class func escapedPattern(for string: String) -> String ``` ## Parameters `string` The string. ## Return Value The escaped string. ## Discussion Returns a string by adding backslash escapes as necessary to the given string, to escape any characters that would otherwise be treated as pattern metacharacters. You typically use this method to match on a particular string within a larger pattern. For example, the string `"(N/A)"` contains the pattern metacharacters `(`, `/`, and `)`. The result of adding backslash escapes to this string is `"\\(N\\/A\\)"`. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)