move the mouse cursor over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move the mouse cursor over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of computer instructions, particularly when guiding someone on how to interact with a graphical user interface. Example: "To select the file, move the mouse cursor over the icon and click."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To see a Jump List from the Start menu, just move the mouse cursor over the program's name to see any recently used files or pages.

The New York Times - Tech

When you have the addresses added, move the mouse cursor over the plus button in the bottom toolbar and click the Insert Invitation icon, which looks like a tiny calendar.

The New York Times - Tech

In Windows 7 and Windows 8, a miniature version of the iTunes window (with Previous, Play/Pause and Next buttons) appears when you move the mouse cursor over the iTunes icon in the taskbar.

The New York Times - Tech

To connect two shapes move the mouse cursor over a gluepoint, click on it with the left mouse button to establish the first point, and then drag the mouse cursor (left button still pressed) to the other gluepoint and release the mouse button.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On the Web, you can delete a paid message from your feed by moving the mouse cursor over the post and clicking the Dismiss button.

The New York Times

Annotation of individual residues is visualized by color-coding in the alignment and by moving the mouse cursor over the respective colored residues.

BMC Genomics

Move the mouse cursor to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer, and then click Search.

WikiHow

Move the mouse cursor around the screen using the 5-way controller keys.

WikiHow

" Now move the mouse cursor to the box labelled Back by clicking the mouse in the box.

WikiHow

In the desktop, move the mouse cursor to the bottom left of the screen and right-click.

WikiHow

First, the topology preservation is qualitatively analyzed by moving the mouse cursor along the border of color disc.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "move the mouse cursor over" to precisely indicate the action needed for interacting with a specific screen element, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "move the mouse cursor over" when you simply mean to select or click an item. The phrase implies positioning the cursor above something, not necessarily activating it. For simple selection, consider "click on", "select", or "choose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move the mouse cursor over" functions primarily as an instructional verb phrase. It directs the user to perform a specific action related to computer interaction. As Ludwig highlights, this is a clear and usable instruction in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move the mouse cursor over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for giving instructions related to computer interaction. As Ludwig confirms, its clarity and usability make it a staple in technical documentation and user guides. While alternatives exist, understanding the specific nuances of each can help you choose the most appropriate phrase for the given context. Remember to consider factors such as the level of formality and the intended action when providing instructions. The phrase is common in the fields of Wiki, News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hover the mouse pointer over

Replaces "cursor" with "pointer" and "move" with "hover", implying a stationary placement rather than movement.

position the cursor over

Uses "position" instead of "move", emphasizing the act of placing the cursor in a specific location.

place the mouse cursor on

Uses "place... on" instead of "move... over", focusing on the action of putting the cursor directly onto something.

drag the cursor across

Implies dragging the cursor rather than just moving it to a specific point.

roll the mouse over

Uses "roll" which suggests moving the mouse ball rather than cursor movement.

slide the mouse cursor across

Uses "slide" implying a smooth movement of the cursor.

take the mouse cursor to

Uses "take...to" instead of "move...over", suggesting a directed movement towards a location.

guide the cursor to

Emphasizes guiding the cursor to a specific location, implying careful movement.

point the cursor towards

Suggests directing the cursor in the general direction of something rather than directly over it.

navigate the mouse cursor to

Uses "navigate", implying a more complex or deliberate movement of the cursor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "move the mouse cursor over" for variety?

Alternatives include "hover the mouse pointer over", "position the cursor over", or "place the mouse cursor on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "move the mouse cursor over" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and can be used in most contexts, especially when giving instructions. However, more informal alternatives like "hover the mouse over" might be suitable for casual communication.

When should I use "move the mouse cursor over" instead of "click on"?

"Move the mouse cursor over" is appropriate when you want the user to position the cursor on a specific area without clicking. "Click on" implies that the user should also press the mouse button to activate or select something.

What's the difference between "move the mouse cursor over" and "drag the cursor across"?

"Move the mouse cursor over" involves positioning the cursor, while "drag the cursor across" indicates holding down the mouse button while moving the cursor to select or move objects.