position the cursor over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "position the cursor over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of computer instructions, indicating where to place the cursor on a screen or interface. Example: "To select the file, position the cursor over the icon and click."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Position the cursor over what appears on the computer screen to be a small, side-lit mound on a flat plane -- it's actually a cobalt atom on top of a fingernail-size wafer of crystallized copper.

The New York Times

Position the cursor over the empty text frame.

WikiHow

Position the cursor over the address bar of your browser and click once to highlight the URL.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The difference becomes clear when a searcher "mouses over," or positions the cursor over a link without clicking on it.

The New York Times - Tech

Positioning the cursor over those words caused an ad to pop out in a window that promoted the sweepstakes and highlighted posts on the Ritz Facebook page about the show and contest.

The New York Times

Place the cursor over the highlighted material.

WikiHow

The Microsoft and Logitech models I tried do make it easier to precisely position the cursor.

The New York Times - Tech

Your goal is to position the cursor after your name.

WikiHow

Position the cursor after the HEAD tag in the code.

WikiHow

Position the cursor within your document and sequentially select the keys using the mouse to control the cursor position on the virtual on-screen keyboard.

WikiHow

Position the cursor in the text box where you would like the text to be pasted.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, be specific about the target. Instead of just saying "position the cursor over the button", specify which button, such as "position the cursor over the 'Submit' button".

Common error

Avoid using "position" when you mean "hover". "Position" implies a more precise placement, while "hover" suggests a general proximity without clicking. For example, "Hover the cursor over the icon to see a tooltip", not "Position the cursor over the icon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "position the cursor over" functions as an instructional verb phrase, typically used in technical documentation or guides. It directs the user to move the cursor to a specific location on a screen. Ludwig provides examples in contexts ranging from software tutorials to scientific research.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "position the cursor over" is a grammatically correct instruction, used to guide users to move the cursor to a specific area on a digital interface. Ludwig shows that while it's commonly found in technical contexts, it can appear in various types of resources like wikis, news, and scientific publications. While "Rare" in overall frequency, understanding the proper usage can improve clarity in documentation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is typically neutral to professional in tone and is best used with specific targets for better user understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place the cursor on

Replaces "over" with "on", offering a slightly more direct and simple instruction.

hover the cursor over

Uses "hover" instead of "position", suggesting a less precise placement and more of a general proximity.

put the cursor on

Uses "put" instead of "position", offering a more informal and direct tone.

move the cursor to

Focuses on the action of moving the cursor, rather than the final position.

drag the cursor to

Emphasizes dragging the cursor to the specified location, implying a continuous movement.

locate the cursor at

Uses "locate" to emphasize finding and placing the cursor at a specific point.

rest the cursor on

Suggests gently placing the cursor without clicking or interacting.

guide the cursor to

Emphasizes a controlled movement of the cursor.

set the cursor on

Implies setting or fixing the cursor's position at a certain location.

situate the cursor above

Suggests positioning the cursor slightly above the target, maintaining a small distance.

FAQs

What does "position the cursor over" mean?

It means to move the mouse pointer to a specific location on a screen, typically to prepare for an action like clicking or selecting.

What's a less formal way to say "position the cursor over"?

You could say "put the cursor on" or "hover the cursor over", which are more conversational.

Is it better to say "position the cursor on" or "position the cursor over"?

Both are acceptable, but "position the cursor over" often implies hovering slightly above the target, while "position the cursor on" suggests being directly on top of it.

Can I use "place the cursor over" instead of "position the cursor over"?

Yes, "place the cursor on" is a good alternative. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. Consider also hover the cursor over, which means slightly different thing.