Understanding “Cite” vs “Site” vs “Sight”

Do you know the words cite, site, and sight? They sound the same but have different meanings. Let’s learn about these words!

History of the Words

Cite comes from the Latin word “citare,” which means “to call.” It means to mention or refer to something.
Site comes from the Latin word “situs,” which means “place.” It talks about a location or a place.
Sight comes from the Old English word “sieht,” which means “something that is seen.” It deals with seeing and vision.

How to Use Them

Cite is used when you talk about mentioning or referencing something.
Site is used to describe a place or location.
Sight is used to describe the ability to see or something that is seen.

Trick to Remember the Difference

• Cite: Think of a book. You cite a book when you mention it.
• Site: Think of a building. A site is a place where you can build.
• Sight: Think of eyes. Your sight helps you see.

Examples of “Cite” in Sentences

• He cited his favorite book in the essay.
• She cited a famous quote in her speech.
• The student forgot to cite his sources.
• Please cite where you got this information.
• Our teacher asks us to cite our references.

Examples of “Site” in Sentences

• The new school will be built on this site.
• This is a good site for a picnic.
• We need to visit the site before building starts.
• The site is near the river.
• This website is a great site for learning English.

Examples of “Sight” in Sentences

• The rainbow is a beautiful sight.
• He lost his sight in an accident.
• Her sight is very sharp.
• They enjoyed the sight of the mountain.
• The doctor checked her sight.

Summary

Remember, cite means to mention something, site means a place, and sight deals with seeing. Use these tricks and examples to remember the difference!