The present invention includes an expert system in which a search index furnishes answers to incoming queries provided in natural language. A search index for a specific field contains components that facilitate selecting a best fitting stored answer to the incoming query. Furthermore, context of the incoming query (e.g. location of the user, a current web page or service being used/viewed by the user, the time, etc.) may be considered when selecting a best fitting answer. A language specific storehouse of weighted words and a private storehouse of weighted words associated with a field-specific search index provide the basis for evaluating the significance level of a natural language word of a query. Again, context of the incoming query may be considered when evaluating the significance level of a natural language word of a query. Irrelevant portions of an incoming query may first be deleted from the inquiry prior to processing. A procedure elects candidates from a store of indexed answers to match the incoming query to first form a list of candidates, based on the existence of identical or similar words. Then, from the list of available candidates, one that provides the best match is selected.