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Cite, Site & Sight (Explained)

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Cite, site, and sight

A quintessential case of homophonic confusion: cite, site and sight can trip up even those most linguistically inclined.  

👍🏼Usage Note

I have known her for five years. (present perfect)
She knew the answer immediately. (simple past)
I have knew her for five years. (incorrect past participle)
She has know the answer. (incorrect verb form)

Cite vs. site vs. sight

Word Examples
cite He cites several noteworthy authors in the article
site A site has been chosen for the new school.
sight He has very little sight in his right eye.

  • Cite means “to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court) “, but most commonly is used as “to quote by way of example, authority, or proof: e.g., “The research paper required us to cite at least three reputable sources to support our arguments”.

  • Cite is the verb form of the noun ‘citation‘, which is understood as, “an act of quoting”. The most common use of the verb cite is in essay writing or in academic contexts where you’re required to ‘cite your sources’. Academic articles and journals typically include a ‘works cited‘ list to credit other sources of information.  

  • In legal jargon, cite can mean being summoned to court. This use of cite is most faithful to its original meaning, etymologically speaking, cite derives from the Latin word citare, “to summon, urge, call”.

  • Site is a noun that refers to “a place where a building, town, etc. was, is or will be located”. Site is also means “a place where something has happened: the site of the battle” (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, site).

  • Another use of the noun site is for website, and is often used in this sense to refer to a website.

  • Sight is a noun that means “the ability to see”. As in, ”She has very good eyesight.” It also means “something that is seen,” as in, “We’re excited to do some sightseeing during our travels this summer“.

  • Site and sight are sometimes confused in the context of travelling. Here’s the distinction: We’re visiting an historic site to see the sights. The ‘site‘ is the place or physical location, whereas sight is what you can see there.

“Cite”, used in sentences

Examples: “cite’ used in sentences
Make sure to cite your sources, even ones you don’t quote directly.

She decided to cite the article from a well-known medical journal to back up her claims about the benefits of the new treatment.

In his presentation, he was careful to cite the author’s name and publication year for every quotation he used.

The professor commended the student for diligently citing a variety of academic sources in her essay.

Sentence examples with site

Examples: “site’ used in sentences
The construction workers are preparing the foundation for the new building on the construction site.

The archaeological team uncovered ancient artifacts at the excavation site, shedding light on the history of the area.

The campsite was nestled in a clearing surrounded by tall trees, providing a serene and peaceful setting.

The company chose a prime location for their new retail store, ensuring it was situated on a high-traffic site.

The website’s design and functionality play a crucial role in attracting visitors and keeping them engaged on the site.

Sentence examples with sight

Examples: “sight’ used in sentences
My sight isn’t too good these days—I really need to get a new pair of glasses.

The view from the mountaintop was breathtaking—a panoramic sight of the valleys and distant peaks.

The old castle ruins were a fascinating sight, evoking a sense of history and mystery.

She lost her glasses and struggled to read the fine print, realizing how much she depended on her sense of sight.

The city’s skyline at sunset was a remarkable sight, with the buildings bathed in golden light.

💡Study Tip

Practice using the verb in different tenses with example sentences to memorize the correct forms.

Cite, synonyms

  • quote
  • refer to
  • specify
  • name
  • mention
  • make reference to
  • allude
  • adduce
  • give recognition to
  • recognize
  • commend
  • pay tribute to

Synonyms of site

  • place
  • location
  • scene
  • section
  • plot
  • station
  • ground

Synonyms of sight

  • vision
  • perception
  • view
  • eye
  • appearance
  • seeing
  • visibility
  • viewing

Word origin: cite, site, sight

Origin of cite

Mid-15c., “to summon, call upon officially,” from Old French citer “to summon” (14c.), from Latin citare “to summon, urge, call; put in sudden motion, call forward; rouse, excite,”. Sense of “call forth a passage of writing, quote the words of another” is first attested 1530s.

Origin of site

“Place or position occupied by something,” especially with reference to environment, also “land on which a building stands, location of a village,” late 14c., from Anglo-French site, Old French site “place, site; position,” and directly from Latin situs “a place, position, situation, location, station; idleness, sloth, inactivity; forgetfulness; the effects of neglect,”

Origin of sight

Middle English sight, from Old English sihð, gesiht, gesihð “thing seen; power or faculty of sight; aspect; vision; apparition,” from Proto-Germanic.

Check out other commonly confused words

Commonly misused words UK English vs. US English
former vs. latter burned or burnt?
bear with vs. bare with color or colour?
breathe or breath favorite vs. favourite
compliment vs. complement smelled or smelt?
effect vs. affect gray or grey?
elude or allude favor vs. favour
it’s or its analyze or analyse?

Sources  

  1. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of cite.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/cite. Accessed 20 August, 2023.
  2. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of sight.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/sight. Accessed 20 August, 2023.
  3. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of site.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/site. Accessed 20 August, 2023.
  4. “Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cite. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are literary devices?
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Techniques writers use to enhance their writing and convey messages effectively.

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Literary devices are specific to creative writing, while rhetorical devices are broader.

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Practice identifying them in texts you read regularly.

Grammar Expert. "The Correct Use Of Cite Site Sight Explained Examp." GrammarFlex, May 31, 2025, http://www.grammarflex.com/the-correct-use-of-cite-site-sight-explained-examp/.

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