put your cursor over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put your cursor over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of computer interfaces, instructing someone to hover their mouse cursor over a specific item or area on the screen. Example: "To access the hidden menu, put your cursor over the icon in the top right corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Put your cursor over a taxi and you'll see it described as "a motorcar that offers mobility in exchange for money," while a picnic table is described as something "on which might rest a tasty meal, or a refreshing cup of joe".

The New York Times - Tech

Put your cursor over the text and look in the upper-right corner of the text area to see if you have a small, circular "gear" icon.

Duke University

With Word or Power Point, all you have to do is click on a pull down menu, find the desired new setting, put your cursor over it and click.

Huffington Post

(put your cursor over the linked words to read foot-notes) I know you went to school with a guy that was "totally into Bowie," and there's a 40-year-old in your hometown who hasn't outgrown his Church of the Subgenius phase, but that's preschool stuff.

Vice

Put your cursor over one of the app icons to see what it is.

WikiHow

Put your cursor over the screen with your Wire-advanced tool out.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Put your cursor in the "New Key Sequence" field.

Cornell University

Put your cursor where you want the image to appear.

WikiHow

Put your cursor in the upper left hand corner of where your potential brush is.

WikiHow

Zoom in on your red eyes and put your cursor in the center of an eye.

WikiHow

For the second question, you might add something like this: "Put your cursor on the square".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions for interacting with a user interface, use the phrase "put your cursor over" to clearly indicate the action of hovering the mouse without clicking. This is especially useful in tutorials and technical documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "put your cursor over" when you actually intend for the user to click. Be specific: if a click is required, say "click on" rather than "put your cursor over" to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put your cursor over" functions as an instructional imperative, guiding the user to perform a specific action with their computer mouse. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in technical documentation and tutorials to indicate hovering without clicking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put your cursor over" is a useful and generally accepted phrase for instructing users to hover their mouse pointer over a specific area on a screen. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as an instructional imperative, often found in technical documentation and online guides. While suitable for neutral contexts, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "position your cursor on". It is crucial to avoid confusing hovering with clicking, ensuring clear and precise directions. While uncommon, its usage is well-documented in sources like WikiHow, Huffington Post and The New York Times, making it a valuable phrase in instructional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hover your mouse over

Uses "mouse" instead of "cursor" for specificity and "hover" as a synonym for "put".

Put your pointer over

Uses "pointer" instead of "cursor", which is a common synonym.

Place your mouse pointer on

Replaces "cursor" with "mouse pointer" for clarity and "put" with "place".

Position your cursor on

Emphasizes precise placement of the cursor.

Hover your pointer over

Combines the synonym "pointer" with the verb "hover".

Move your cursor onto

Suggests a motion to bring the cursor to the specified area.

Rest your cursor on

Implies a gentle placement of the cursor, without clicking.

Take your cursor to

Focuses on the action of moving the cursor toward a specific location.

Bring your cursor over

Similar to "move your cursor over", but with a slightly different verb.

Guide your cursor to

Implies a guided movement of the cursor.

FAQs

What does "put your cursor over" mean?

The phrase "put your cursor over" means to move your mouse pointer (cursor) to a specific location on a computer screen and hover there without clicking. It's a common instruction in tutorials and guides.

What can I say instead of "put your cursor over"?

You can use alternatives like "hover your mouse over", "place your cursor on", or "position your cursor on" depending on the context.

Is "put your cursor over" formal or informal?

The phrase "put your cursor over" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts, such as tutorials, help guides, or technical documentation. More formal contexts may prefer "position your cursor on".

How can I make the instruction "put your cursor over" clearer?

To make the instruction clearer, specify the exact element the user should hover over. For example, instead of saying "put your cursor over the icon", say "put your cursor over the settings icon in the top right corner".