diff --git a/query/src/lib.rs b/query/src/lib.rs
index dc3126d8..bc2735a7 100644
--- a/query/src/lib.rs
+++ b/query/src/lib.rs
@@ -504,12 +504,31 @@ pub enum UnifyVars {
     Explicit(Vec<Variable>),
 }
 
+impl WhereClause {
+    pub fn is_pattern(&self) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            &WhereClause::Pattern(_) => true,
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub enum OrWhereClause {
     Clause(WhereClause),
     And(Vec<WhereClause>),
 }
 
+impl OrWhereClause {
+    pub fn is_pattern_or_patterns(&self) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            &OrWhereClause::Clause(WhereClause::Pattern(_)) => true,
+            &OrWhereClause::And(ref clauses) => clauses.iter().all(|clause| clause.is_pattern()),
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct OrJoin {
     pub unify_vars: UnifyVars,