place a checkmark

USAGE SUMMARY

"place a checkmark" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to mark a checkbox with a check symbol to indicate completion or selection of an option. Example: "After completing each task, be sure to place a checkmark next to it to track your progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

After you have set your LionMail device password and updated your LionMail account settings, open Outlook 2016 for Mac and choose Preferences from the Outlook menu. 5. Type in your [email protected], Device Password (Note: this is not your UNI password), [email protected] again, IMAP, imap.gmail.com, smtp.gmail.com and place a checkmark in both of the boxes labeled "Use SSL to connect".

Columbia University

Place a checkmark next to "Remote Login.

WikiHow

" " Place a checkmark next to "Developer.

WikiHow

Place a checkmark next to "USB debugging.

WikiHow

Place a checkmark next to "Axis Titles.

WikiHow

Place a checkmark next to "Filter explicit results.

WikiHow

Place a checkmark in the option for "disk drives".

WikiHow

Place a checkmark next to "Temporary Internet Files.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

During the November meeting, an elementary teacher, Jessica Long, placed a checkmark by her name, indicating she wanted to speak.

The New York Times

Scroll down the "Settings" list and enable the following options by placing a checkmark beside its boxes: Warn me when websites try to redirect or reload the page.

WikiHow

Twitter denotes verified accounts by placing a blue checkmark next to a name, indicating the user is a person of public interest and that the account is authentic.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the location of the action by using prepositions like "in the box" or "next to the option" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid saying "place a checkmark at the box". In English, we usually place something "in" a box or "next to" a label. Using the wrong preposition can make instructions feel translated or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "place a checkmark" functions as a transitive verb phrase typically used in the imperative mood for instructions or as a gerund to describe a process. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to direct a user's attention to a specific selection task within a list or form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki & General Instructions

75%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "place a checkmark" is a highly effective and universally understood phrase for giving directions. Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in instructional writing where clarity is paramount. Whether you are writing for a prestigious institution like Columbia University or creating a simple guide on WikiHow, this phrase remains a standard choice. To vary your writing, you might consider alternatives like "tick the box" or "select the checkbox", but "place a checkmark" remains a reliable and grammatically correct staple of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check the box

More concise and commonly used in modern web design and digital user interfaces

tick the box

The standard British English equivalent of the American phrase

place a tick

Uses the British noun for the check symbol

mark with a check

Shifts emphasis to the act of marking rather than the specific placement

select the checkbox

More technical language used specifically for software development or UI/UX documentation

put a checkmark

Slightly more informal verb choice compared to the more formal "place"

add a checkmark

Implies adding a new element to a list or a document

indicate with a check

More formal and suggests the check is a signifier for a choice or status

toggle the checkmark

Refers to the action of switching a digital setting on or off

choose the option

Focuses on the decision being made rather than the physical action of marking

FAQs

How do I use "place a checkmark" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct command in instructions, for example: "Please "place a checkmark" next to your preferred delivery date."

What can I say instead of "place a checkmark"?

Depending on your audience, you can use "tick the box" if writing for a British audience or "check the box" for a more concise American style.

Is it "place a checkmark in" or "place a checkmark on"?

While both are understood, "place a checkmark in" is preferred when referring to a checkbox, whereas "on" might be used if referring to a specific line or a physical document.

What is the difference between a check and a checkmark?

In the context of marking a list, they are interchangeable. However, "checkmark" specifically refers to the symbol (✓), while "check" can also mean to inspect or verify.