tab stop

IPA/ˈtæb stɒp/
IPA/ˈtæb stɑːp/

tab stop — noun

1. A preset point on a horizontal ruler within a document where the cursor jumps to

1.名詞B1
釋義

A preset point on a horizontal ruler within a document where the cursor jumps to when you press the Tab key, used to arrange text or numbers in neat, evenly spaced columns.

例句

Mei set a tab stop at 12 centimeters so the menu prices would line up neatly.

collocation: set a tab stop at [distance]

The office template already has tab stops every two centimeters for the invoice columns.

passive: has tab stops [every X distance]

同義詞
  • tab

    Informal shortening — 'tab' can refer to the key, the stop, or the action, so 'tab stop' is clearer in technical writing.

  • tab marker

    Emphasises the visual icon on the ruler; used mostly in software tutorial contexts.

文法句型

set/adjust/clear a tab stop

tab stop at [distance]

用法筆記

Tab stops appear as small markers on the document ruler. Different types (left, right, center, decimal) control how text aligns at that position.

常見錯誤

❌I pressed Tab to create a tab stop.
✅I set a tab stop on the ruler, then pressed Tab to jump to it.
💡Pressing Tab moves the cursor to an existing tab stop; it does not create one.
❌Use the space bar to align text in columns.
✅Use tab stops with the Tab key to align text in columns.
💡Relying on spaces causes misalignment when the font changes; tab stops keep columns consistent.