English Grammar Lessons
Sponsored by the White Smoke Grammar Checker.
CITE, SIGHT AND SITE
Cite means 'to mention' or 'to quote'.
Sight relates to vision.
Site means a piece of land or 'to assign a position to'.
The words 'cite', 'sight' and 'site' have different meanings, but they sound
identical. As a consequence, some writers fail to differentiate between
'Sight' relates to vision. It is the power of seeing (i.e.,
perception by the eyes). It can also be something that is seen (e.g., What
a beautiful sight.)
The newborn foal was an emotional sight for all of us.
After the laser treatment,
her sight was perfect.
The noun 'site' refers
to a piece of land (e.g., building site). As a verb
('to site'), it means 'to position in a place' (e.g., I will site the slide near
three landfill sites in the local vicinity.
claimed his tools had been stolen from the archaeological site.
The verb 'cite' means 'to quote', 'to refer to', 'to summon to appear before a court of
law' or simply 'to mention'.
cited several instances of illegal behaviour.
inspector was cited for his outstanding achievements.
cite expert opinion to support your points.
THE CULPRIT IS SITE |
The word 'site' (meaning 'a piece of land') is the one that causes problems. The
most common error relating to these three words is writing 'sight' instead of
TRADESMAN'S ENTRANCE |
A site usually houses a building or construction work. You can remember the
definition of 'site' using the 'te' to remind you of tradesman's
entrance. (A site is likely to have a tradesman's entrance.)
Grammar Monster © | Copyright Registration Number: 226604 | All rights reserved