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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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please tick

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please tick" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as forms or surveys where you are asking someone to mark a choice or option with a checkmark. Example: "Please tick the box next to your preferred option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Please tick off Vince Cable.

News & Media

The Guardian

Please tick yes or no to the following.

Please tick 'No': The referendum ballot itself, as posted a few days ago to the parliament's website, doesn't exactly give voters an option to say "No".

News & Media

The Guardian

Under the headline "Nuclear Substances Category (please tick)" the form lists 17 radioactive substances including depleted uranium, enriched uranium, plutonium and tritium which it claims will be considered for export.

News & Media

The Guardian

Please tick the most appropriate box".

For the Measurement Method(s) check boxes, please tick as many as apply.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Please check.

Elements of the original mise-en-scène are relentlessly paraded, but if nerds will be pleased to tick them off, they do little to recreate the original concept.

As a devoted Ibsenite, I was pleased to tick off the obscure Emperor and Galilean in a 2011 National Theatre production, although remain happy to miss The Vikings at Helgeland (1858).

News & Media

The Guardian

For example, "this connection includes family-friendly filters as default [or as standard] - if you do not want to install this protection please un-tick the box" (obviously not intended to be drafting).

News & Media

BBC

Tick, tick, tick... Ugh.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please tick" in a form or survey, ensure the corresponding boxes or options are clearly labeled and easily accessible to the user.

Common error

Avoid using "please tick" when a user needs to provide detailed written answers. In such cases, phrases like "please explain" or "please describe" are more appropriate.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please tick" functions as an imperative, giving a polite command or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a standard and acceptable way to ask someone to mark a selection on a form or survey.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please tick" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative phrase that directs users to mark their selections on forms or surveys. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity, particularly within scientific and news-related contexts. While alternatives such as "please check" or "please select" exist, "please tick" remains a clear and direct instruction. When using this phrase, ensure that response options are clearly presented to avoid user confusion.

FAQs

What does "please tick" mean?

"Please tick" is an instruction typically found on forms or surveys, directing the user to mark a checkbox or similar indicator to show their selection or agreement.

What can I say instead of "please tick"?

You can use alternatives like "please check", "please mark", or "please select" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "please tick" in formal writing?

While "please tick" is widely understood, it might be more suitable to use more formal alternatives like "please indicate" in highly formal contexts.

How do I use "please tick" in a sentence?

You would typically use it as a direct instruction, for example: "Please tick the box that applies to you."

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: