I am making a search which is really a thinly-veiled SQL query.

For example: "Cities where population is less than 1000".

• Cities = type of object
• where = signals condition
• population = attribute
• is less than = operator
• 1000 = value

Because it's not true NLQ, it needs a guide to help the user enter in the proper syntax. I have imagined two ways of displaying that guide.

The first way puts the options on the right. Pros: Options always in the same place Cons: A lot of eye travel

The second way puts a prompt under where the user's text cursor is. Pros: Much less eye travel Cons: A large visual object is jumping around the screen. It might be obtrusive and annoying for people who have learned the syntax and rather look just at what they're typing.

Which option is better? Is there a third option?