hover the mouse cursor over

USAGE SUMMARY

"hover the mouse cursor over" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when instructing someone in how to use a computer mouse. For example, "To open a new document, hover the mouse cursor over the 'new document' icon and click the left button."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To show the rendering on the full screen, either hover the mouse cursor over or click on the 3D View window (the bottom right image) and hit the spacebar.

3D Printing in Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For all methods in both parts of the survey definitions were provided [ 1] (see Table  1) which could easily be obtained by hovering the mouse cursor over a method.

BMC Public Health

First, hover the mouse pointer over the recycle bin.

WikiHow

Both views are linked: hovering with the mouse cursor over single gene entries from the Gene Table highlights the corresponding pathways in the Pathway Browser.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

The button will only appear when you hover your mouse cursor over the comment.

WikiHow

As you hover your mouse cursor over the final "Purchase" button, however, a single drop of nervous sweat forms above your temple.

Huffington Post

To see the total active campaigns under these categories, hover your mouse cursor over these two tiles and the number of running of projects will show.

WikiHow

You can hover you mouse cursor over a tool and wait for the name to appear to confirm your selection.

WikiHow

Turns out, the trick is hovering your mouse cursor over the little "LIVE" box in the upper right.

TechCrunch

At Advertising Week, Google today introduced a new ad format called Lightbox, which is a standard ad unit that expands into a super-sized canvas takeover ad after a user hovers their mouse cursor over the ad.

TechCrunch

Hover your mouse cursor over "My eBay" at the top of the page and select "Account.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, follow "hover the mouse cursor over" with a clear description of the target element. For instance, "hover the mouse cursor over the 'Submit' button."

Common error

Do not assume users know which element you are referring to. Always specify the exact name or description of the element to be hovered over. Instead of saying, "Hover the mouse cursor over it", specify the element like, "Hover the mouse cursor over the image."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hover the mouse cursor over" functions as an instructional directive. It guides the user to perform a specific action with a computer mouse, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples demonstrating its use in how-to guides and technical documentation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

25%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hover the mouse cursor over" is a commonly used phrase in instructional contexts, particularly in online guides, technical documentation, and news articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to direct a computer user to position their mouse cursor over a specific screen element without clicking. While "hovering the cursor" or "moving the mouse cursor" can serve as alternatives, it's crucial to provide specific details about the target element for effective communication. While common in Wiki and News outlets, the phrase is rarely used in formal or academic writing. When writing instructions, provide clear details and use precise language to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move the mouse cursor over

Replaces "hover" with "move", suggesting a more deliberate action.

position the mouse cursor over

Emphasizes precise placement of the cursor.

place the mouse cursor over

Similar to "position", indicating careful placement.

hover the cursor over

Shortened version removing "mouse" for brevity.

bring the mouse cursor over

Indicates a movement towards the target area.

rest the mouse cursor on

Implies a gentle placement without clicking.

guide the mouse cursor to

Suggests carefully leading the cursor to a specific point.

take the mouse cursor to

Implies transporting the cursor from one point to another.

roll the mouse cursor over

Suggests moving the cursor slowly across an area.

slide the mouse cursor over

Similar to "roll", implying a smooth, gliding motion.

FAQs

What does "hover the mouse cursor over" mean?

It means to move the mouse pointer over a specific area on a computer screen without clicking any buttons.

What can I say instead of "hover the mouse cursor over"?

You can use alternatives like "move the mouse cursor over", "position the mouse cursor over", or "place the mouse cursor over".

Is it necessary to specify "mouse cursor" or is just "cursor" enough?

While "cursor" alone is often understood, specifying "mouse cursor" can provide clarity, especially for novice users or in contexts where other types of cursors (e.g., text cursor) are also relevant.

How to make instructions with "hover the mouse cursor over" more precise?

Be specific about the target. For example, instead of "Hover the mouse cursor over the icon", use "Hover the mouse cursor over the 'Settings' icon in the top right corner".