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Cite vs Site vs Sight | Difference Among cite, site and sight
The three words – ‘cite’, ‘site’ and ‘sight’ sound the same but their meanings and spellings are not the same. So, it’s very common to get confused with them. Let’s see through an example, how confusing the three words are:
You cite that ‘The sight of my site is very beautiful’.
You can see the three same sounding words – ‘cite’, ‘sight’ and ‘site’ in the above sentence. But can you understand their different meanings? If your answer is ‘no’, then let me make your doubts cleared.
The three words – ‘cite’, ‘site’ and ‘sight’ are basically examples of homophones. What is a homophone? In the English language, two or more two words can sound alike but they can be different in spelling and meaning. These types of words are called ‘homophones’.
The Meaning & Usage of ‘Site’
Site meaning: ‘Site’ is the synonym of place, position or location etc. There can be several meanings of ‘site‘ –
- ‘Site’ means a piece of land where a building was, is or will be situated.
Example: He is looking for a site for his new office.
- A place where something has happened or that is used for something is also called a ‘site’.
Example: This is the site of that famous battle of Mahabharat.
- ‘Site’ can be a short form of ‘website’.
Example: I request you to visit this site(englishmam) to gain your knowledge.
Usage: ‘Site’ can be used both as a noun and verb.
(i) ‘Site’ as a noun
- You will find him at the construction site. (Place or area)
- The site has no ads. (Website)
(ii) ‘Site’ as a verb
To fix or build something in a particular place.
Example: The factory is sited behind the church.
The Meaning & Usage of ‘Sight’
Sight meaning: What you see with your eyes, or your real vision, is referred to as sight. A sight might, however, be something you see in a city or tourist destination, or something worth viewing, which can be confusing. ‘Sight’ is the synonym of vision, eyesight etc.
Usage: ‘Sight’ can be used as both a noun and a verb.
(i) Sight as a noun
- To indicate the faculty or power of seeing.
Example: Joseph lost his sight in the accident.
- A thing that one sees or that can be seen.
Example: He was a familiar sight in the bar for many years.
- A device on a gun or optical instrument is used for assisting a person’s precise aim or observation.
Example: There were reports of a man on the roof aiming a rifle and looking through its sight.
(ii) Sight as a verb
- Manage to see or observe someone or something
Example: Tell me when you sighted London Bridge?
- Take aim by looking through the sights of a gun
Example: She sighted down the barrel.
The Meaning & Usage of ‘Cite’
Cite meaning: Cite is most often used as a verb (though it may also be used as a short form of the noun citation), with definitions including “to quote as an example, authority, or proof,” “to identify in a citation,” and “to order to appear in a court of law”. ‘Cite’ is the synonym of qoute.
Usage: As I have told you before, ‘cite’ is mainly used as a verb. Learn how it is used in sentences as a verb:
- Quote (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly work
Example: Authors who are well-liked by their colleagues are more likely to be cited.
- Praise (someone, typically a member of the armed forces) for a courageous act in an official dispatch
Example: He has been cited many times for his contributions in the intelligence area.
- Summon someone to appear in a court of law.
Example: The summons cited four of the defendants.
An Easy Way To Remember Site/Sight/Cite
If you’re still facing problems telling the difference between these three terms, try relating cite with citation, sight with vision, and site with situating.