passes the mouse cursor over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passes the mouse cursor over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of describing an action performed with a computer mouse, typically in relation to user interface interactions. Example: "To highlight the text, the user passes the mouse cursor over the desired section."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Passing the mouse cursor over the network's name displays a ScreenTip listing the signal strength, type of encryption security and other details.

The New York Times

Just find an update from a person you would like to remove from your News Feed and click on the small arrow that appears when you pass the mouse cursor over the top right side of the update.

The New York Times

Click the green arrow to see the longitude and latitude coordinates of the place; the coordinates may also appear as a screen tip when you pass the mouse cursor over the arrow.

The New York Times

The Dock on my Mac OS X screen suddenly disappeared and now it only shows up if I pass the mouse cursor along the bottom of the screen.

The New York Times

If you pass the mouse cursor along the area where the Dock normally lives, it reappears just long enough for you to click the program or icon you were looking for and disappears again when you move the mouse away.

The New York Times

This same sub-menu holds options for automatically hiding the Dock on the screen until you pass the mouse cursor nearby, as well as the option for magnifying the icons stocked in the Dock when you pass the cursor over.

The New York Times

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

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

Detailed instructions appear upon placing the mouse cursor over the web interface.

BMC Plant Biology

When the user holds the mouse cursor over a highlighted area on the screen (a roll-over) a text box appears with the answer.

BMC Medical Education

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions for computer users, consider using the more common and readily understood term "hover" instead of "passes the mouse cursor over" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using overly verbose language when describing mouse actions. Simpler terms like "hover" or "move the cursor over" are often more effective and prevent user confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passes the mouse cursor over" functions as a procedural directive, typically found in instructional or technical contexts. It instructs the user to perform a specific action with a computer mouse. The suggestion of Ludwig is that the phrase is correct but less common.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "passes the mouse cursor over" is grammatically correct but less common than alternatives like "hovers the mouse over". As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it functions as a procedural directive, mainly used to provide technical instructions. While technically sound, prioritizing simpler, more common language can improve clarity. Usage contexts appear to be neutral, but without sufficient examples it's hard to establish the real frequency in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hovers the mouse over

This alternative is more concise and commonly used.

moves the mouse cursor over

This alternative is more descriptive and neutral in tone.

positions the mouse cursor on

This alternative emphasizes placing the cursor at a specific location.

places the mouse cursor over

Similar to 'positions', but slightly more formal.

drags the mouse cursor across

This option implies a click-and-drag action.

slides the mouse cursor over

This suggests a smooth and continuous movement.

guides the mouse cursor over

This suggests intentional and precise movement.

scrolls the mouse cursor across

This implies movement involving scrolling functionality.

sweeps the mouse cursor across

This alternative suggests a quick, broad movement.

runs the mouse cursor over

A less formal alternative, implying continuous movement.

FAQs

What is a simpler way to say "passes the mouse cursor over"?

Common alternatives include "hovers the mouse over" or "moves the mouse over". These are generally easier for readers to understand.

Is it more correct to say "hover the mouse" or "pass the mouse cursor over"?

"Hover the mouse" is more commonly used and often considered more natural. "Pass the mouse cursor over" is technically correct but less frequently used in everyday language.

When should I use "passes the mouse cursor over" in my writing?

Use "passes the mouse cursor over" when you want to be very explicit and technical in your instructions. In most cases, simpler language is preferred.

What's the difference between "hover" and "passes the mouse cursor over"?

"Hover" is a more general term for positioning the mouse over something. "Passes the mouse cursor over" implies movement across something, though this distinction isn't always crucial.