put a tick

USAGE SUMMARY

'put a tick' is not correct or directly usable in written English.
In written English you would typically use "check" or "mark" instead. For example, "Please check the box next to your answer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

I put a tick mark in the spreadsheet column labelled "K-RAT".

The New Yorker

A June 2014 report told of another child ripping up his books in anger because the teacher did not put a tick next to his name.

The Guardian

We can put a tick in the top right of the right-hand box, as shown below, and deduce therefore that Mr Jones is in Sheffield because that is the only option remaining.

The Guardian

Expect more of this kind of thing in the coming weeks, as politicians play the Russian tune by exacerbating political tensions in order to get people to put a tick in their box.

The Guardian - Opinion

We still put a tick to show we have seen every book, but now we have to fill in a stamp which sets targets and leave comments on how pupils are working.

The Guardian

Just switch off any wifi connection to make sure you are measuring the mobile network and not your broadband speed, agree to let us register your location, and put a tick next to the name of your service provider.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

His brother's rapid descent he's now on disability put a ticking clock on Marchetti's dreams.

Huffington Post

On top of the note pad draw a straight-line across the page and put a tick-mark at the left-hand end.

WikiHow

Even if that only means putting a tick in a box every few years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though her film remains a minority taste with the public, putting a tick next to her name offers Academy members the prospect of being able to feel a warm sense of history as they cast their ballot.

Independent

Log sheets were designed to help mothers record CHX application on daily basis by simply putting a tick mark.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use alternatives like "check the box" or "place a mark" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "put a tick" in formal documents or academic papers. It may come across as too casual, undermining the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a tick" functions as an instruction or direction, typically indicating the act of marking something with a tick symbol. As Ludwig AI states, more precise alternatives like "check" or "mark" are preferable in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

32%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put a tick" is a commonly used expression that instructs someone to mark something with a tick. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing, with alternatives like "check" or "mark" being preferred. While it frequently appears in various contexts such as news, media, science, and wikis, using more precise and formal terms like "mark with a tick" or "tick the box" is recommended for improved clarity and credibility in formal documents. Remember to avoid overusing informal phrasing in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark with a tick

Replaces "put" with "mark" for increased formality.

place a checkmark

Uses "checkmark" instead of "tick" for clarity and precision.

insert a tick

Replaces "put" with "insert", suggesting adding a mark.

add a tick

More concise and direct, emphasizing the act of adding a mark.

affix a tick

Formal alternative for attaching or adding a tick.

make a tick

Focuses on creating the tick symbol.

put a check

Uses the American English term "check" instead of "tick".

tick the box

Commonly used phrase in the context of checkboxes.

check the box

Another variation of the above, more standard.

mark the box

Simplified instruction for marking a checkbox.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "put a tick"?

You can use alternatives like "mark with a tick", "place a checkmark", or "tick the box" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put a tick" in formal writing?

No, it is generally better to use more formal alternatives such as "affix a tick" or "mark the box" in formal writing.

How to use "put a tick" in a sentence?

While not preferred in formal contexts, you might say, "During the follow-up, mother was asked to put a tick on the log sheet."

What's the difference between "put a tick" and "check the box"?

"Put a tick" is a more general phrase, while "check the box" specifically refers to marking a checkbox. The latter is more precise in that context.