Writing & StyleStyle guide

Using Choose for Preference-Based Options

Using Choose for Preference-Based Options records a distinct source-supported procedure-writing task while keeping adjacent UI behavior, accessibility concerns, and implementation mechanics outside the page.

Quick answer

Use “choose” when the customer is deciding among options based on preference or desired outcome.

Key details

Core Issueusing choose for preference based options
Registertechnical and professional writing

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

Microsoft also allows “choose” to avoid awkward repetition when an item itself begins with the word “Select”; this page does not replace the general “select” verb.

Further guidance

Content

Use “choose” when the customer is deciding among options based on preference or desired outcome.

Purpose

This distinguishes an open-ended choice from directions to select one specific named UI item.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Describing interactions with the UI — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Current Microsoft Style Guide evidence for input-neutral UI action verbs including open, close, go to, select, choose, clear, enter, switch/turn on/turn off, move/drag, move through, and zoom.

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