tick the box

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tick the box" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the action of physically checking a box, usually as part of a form or questionnaire. For example: "When you are finished filling in the form, please remember to tick the box at the bottom to submit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I did not tick the box.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They just consult us to tick the box.

The New York Times

It's 'we have consulted the local community', tick the box".

The Guardian

If you prefer to speak anonymously, no problem – just tick the box at the bottom.

The Guardian - Money

Rae's failure to tick the box was not an excuse, he said.

The Guardian

As for remarks that arts programmes merely "tick the box", these seem unwarranted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Identifying critical vulnerabilities requires judgment and intuition — you cannot treat it as a tick-the-box exercise.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Organisations should see participation by children as a strategic asset and not a "tick-the-box" exercise, says San Martin.

The Guardian

This avoids a tick-the-box approach to voting and your research indicates that the market generally follows the same approach.

Harvard University

The point of these reporting requirements is to change outcomes, not simply to encourage a cynical tick-the-box exercise.

Forbes

Somewhere along the way, they might make time for a quick tick-the-box "township tour".

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to complete a form, use "tick the box" to clearly indicate the action needed.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear which box you are referring to, especially when multiple options are available. Otherwise, rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tick the box" functions as an imperative, directing the reader to perform a specific action on a form or interface. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used across a multitude of source types and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

29%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tick the box" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to instruct someone to mark a checkbox. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki articles and carries a neutral tone. While alternatives like "check the box" or "select the option" exist, "tick the box" remains a clear and widely understood way to convey this action. Remember to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check the box

Replaces "tick" with "check", a synonym for marking a box.

mark the checkbox

Specifies the type of box and uses "mark" instead of "tick".

select the option

Focuses on choosing an option, which might involve ticking a box.

fill in the circle

Specifies a different shape (circle) to fill instead of a box.

complete the selection

Highlights finishing the selection process, which might involve marking a box.

make the selection

Similar to "complete the selection" but emphasizes the action of choosing.

indicate your choice

Focuses on showing your choice, which could be done by ticking a box.

register your preference

Emphasizes recording a preference, with ticking a box as a method.

confirm your selection

Highlights the act of confirming a choice.

acknowledge the terms

Focuses on accepting terms, often done by ticking a box.

FAQs

How can I use "tick the box" in a sentence?

You can use "tick the box" in sentences like, "Please "remember to tick the box" to confirm your subscription", or, "Tick the box if you agree to the terms and conditions".

What does "tick the box" mean?

"Tick the box" means to mark a checkbox on a form or document, usually to indicate agreement, consent, or selection. It is often a necessary step to "complete a process".

What is a more formal alternative to "tick the box"?

More formal alternatives include "mark the checkbox", "indicate your choice", or "select the option", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "check the box" instead of "tick the box"?

Yes, "check the box" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used alternative to "tick the box". Both phrases mean the same thing.