drop down box

USAGE SUMMARY

'drop down box' is a correct and usable term in written English.
Drop down boxes are commonly used on websites to allow a user to select an option from a predetermined list. For example, an online store may have a drop down box on the checkout page which allows a user to choose the desired payment method.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A list of inactive weather stations is provided in the "Select station" drop down box.

Cornell University

Go to your spreadsheet or click on the "Create New" drop down box.

WikiHow

A cursor activated drop down box is generated on any individual point by "mouseover".

BMC Genomics

A drop down box should appear--click 'Delete Contact'.

WikiHow

Click the drop down box that says "Tools".

WikiHow

Change the first drop down box to "Bridge Mode Only".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If you don't know the month, leave it blank; otherwise select month from drop-down box.

Cornell University

Please select a volume number in the "Select a Copy" drop-down box.

Yale University

Click the drop-down box to review what SPA CalNet ID you can log in as.

University of California, Berkeley

Then please select a pick-up location in the "Pick Up At" drop-down box.

Yale University

A few suggestions – "tim dowling guardian" is one – immediately present themselves in a drop-down box.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use the term "drop down box" to clearly indicate an interactive element that displays options when clicked.

Common error

Avoid using "drop down box" interchangeably with "pop-up window". A "drop down box" is an interactive element within a webpage, while a pop-up window is a separate browser window.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop down box" functions primarily as a noun phrase describing a specific type of user interface element. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage across various digital platforms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

Academia

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

News & Media

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop down box" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a specific user interface element. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it's predominantly found in Wiki, Academia, and Science contexts. It serves to guide user interaction by clearly identifying an interactive component within a software or web application. While "drop down box" is considered informal in register, it’s essential to distinguish it from similar terms like "pop-up window" to avoid confusion. Understanding its function and usage ensures clear and effective communication in instructional and technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Drop-down menu

Focuses more on the menu aspect rather than the box itself.

Select box

Emphasizes the action of selecting an option.

Combo box

A more technical term for a drop-down list with text input.

List box

Highlights the list of options presented.

Pop-up menu

Describes how the menu appears on the screen.

Selection list

Focuses on the list aspect of available choices.

Option selector

Emphasizes the functionality of selecting an option.

Choice list

Highlights the list of choices available.

Pick list

A more informal term for a list of items to pick from.

Pull-down menu

Describes the action of pulling down the menu.

FAQs

How to use "drop down box" in a sentence?

You can use "drop down box" in a sentence like, "Select your preferred language from the "language selection" "drop down box".

What is another name for "drop down box"?

Another name for "drop down box" is "drop down menu", which emphasizes the menu aspect of this user interface element.

When should I use "drop down box" instead of "text field"?

Use a "drop down box" when you want the user to select from a predefined list of options, rather than entering free-form text in a "text field".

Is "drop down box" the same as "combo box"?

While similar, a "drop down box" generally refers to a simple list selection, whereas a "combo box" often includes a text field for manual input in addition to the list.