provides attributes for selecting particular elements within a document. points at one or several elements or sets of elements by means of one or more data pointers, using the URI syntax. Elizabeth went to Essex supplies an arbitrary XPath expression using the syntax defined in which identifies a set of nodes, selected within the context identified by the target attribute if this is supplied, or within the context of the parent element if it is not.

The expression of certainty applies to the nodeset identified by the value of the target attribute, possibly modified additionally by the value of the match attribute. If more than one identifier is given, the implication is that all elements (or nodesets) are intended. The match attribute may also be used as a means of identifying groups of elements.

If target and match are present, target selects an element and the XPath expression in match is evaluated in the context of that element. If neither attribute is present, the expression applies to its parent element. If only target is given, the expression refers to the selected element or nodeset. If only match is given, the XPath expression is evaluated in the context of the parent element of the bearing element.

Note that the value of the target attribute may include an XPointer expression including an XPath expression (see ).