mark the box

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mark the box" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used in instructions or directions to indicate that someone should check or indicate a specific option or answer on a form or document. For example: Please mark the box next to your preferred method of contact. I'm sorry, you did not mark the box for "yes" or "no" on this question. To complete the survey, please mark the boxes that apply to you.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In the election, he said, he would mark the box designated "Against All".

The New Yorker

(i) If you offer the vehicle without any implied warranty, i.e., "as is," mark the box appearing in Figure 1.

Cornell University

Which was O.K. with me — it meant I could also mark the box next to "Paleo" on my diet trend checklist.

The New York Times

Upon hearing the first statement, they should mark the box that best represents both how much they agree or disagree about the movement's main goals (the columns) and the extent to which they support or oppose the methods that have been used by the protesters (the rows).

The New York Times

If you make a service contract available on the vehicle, you must add the following heading and paragraph below the Non-Dealer Warranties Section and mark the box labeled "Service Contract," unless offering such service contract is "the business of insurance" and such business is regulated by State law.

Cornell University

I already received my ballot and was thrilled to be able to mark the box for NUHW!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The second fact is that on the level of daily experience, an increasing number of white Europeans believe Muslim immigrants want integration with an asterisk — the asterisk providing an all-access pass to the welfare state, but with a mark-the-box list of opt-outs or variances from many of its obligations.

The New York Times

You need to check mark the boxes against the files that you need to recover.

WikiHow

When you come back check mark the boxes before your bus ride back for all your items that you brought.

WikiHow

And when you're done writing the note, you make a mark in the box marked "send".

Forbes

When he took the private school entrance test he marked the box for Exeter because he liked the name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to use a form, be specific about which box to "mark". Add clarifying details like the box's label or position.

Common error

Avoid vague instructions. Do not assume users understand which box needs a "mark". Be explicit, for example, "mark the 'Yes' box" or "mark the box labeled 'Agree'".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark the box" functions primarily as an imperative, providing a direct instruction to the user. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in diverse contexts, such as filling out forms or completing tasks. This aligns with Ludwig AI stating that the phrase is commonly used in directions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mark the box" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to instruct someone to select or indicate an option, as Ludwig AI confirms. While it appears most frequently in Wiki and News & Media contexts, its register is generally neutral. Alternative phrases like "check the box" or "tick the box" can be used for variety, although "mark the box" remains a clear and direct instruction. Remember to be specific when using the phrase to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check the box

Replaces "mark" with "check", emphasizing the act of ticking a box.

tick the box

Uses "tick" instead of "mark", common in British English.

put a check in the box

More explicit about the action of placing a checkmark.

select the box

Replaces "mark" with "select", focusing on choosing an option.

place a mark in the box

More formal alternative using "place a mark".

indicate the box

Uses "indicate" to show a choice or answer within a box.

fill in the box

Focuses on completing the box, typically by writing inside it.

choose the appropriate box

Shifts focus to selecting the correct box based on given criteria.

identify the relevant box

Highlights the need to find the right box to mark.

complete the selection

General instruction to finalize selection, encompassing marking the box.

FAQs

How do I use "mark the box" in a sentence?

Use "mark the box" in instructions. For example, "To indicate your consent, "mark the box" next to 'I agree'".

What is a synonym for "mark the box"?

Alternatives to "mark the box" include "check the box", "tick the box", or "select the box".

Is "mark the box" formal or informal?

"Mark the box" is generally considered "neutral" and appropriate for most contexts, but more formal alternatives like "indicate your selection" exist.

Which is correct, "mark the box" or "marking the box"?

"Mark the box" is an instruction, while "marking the box" describes an action in progress. Example: "Mark the box to confirm" vs "She is marking the box now".