Grammatically Correct 3/2/05
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
When to Use: Cite, Site, and Sight
by W. Scott Harkey
Cite, site, and sight are often confused in writing and therefore used incorrectly. This can cause some uncertainty among the reader(s) as to what the writer is intending to say. Here are some examples to help clear this up.

Cite is a verb. In research, it means to use another individual’s work as an example, proof, or precedent in order to uphold, show, or confirm the researcher’s intentions.

Ex. David will cite the words of Harold Bloom for his research paper.

Site is a noun. It means the place or location of something, like the location of a certain structure.

Ex. Timmy’s mother told him not to play at the construction site by the river.

Sight is a noun. It means the capability to see or the act of seeing.

Ex. Sarah said her aging grandfather might lose his sight.
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week
by W. Scott Harkey

In addition to our website, we recommend the following site: The Common Errors in English Page at http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/errors.html.

This site contains an alphabetical list of common errors found in the English language.
Test Your Knowledge
by W. Scott Harkey
Test your understanding of the correct use of cite, site, and sight by answering the following sentences.

1. The teacher wants us to (cite, site, sight) a credible author for our assignment.
2. Susan’s husband works at the archeological (cite, site, sight) on Tuesdays.
3. After I looked at the sun for a long time, I momentarily lost my (cite, site, sight).
4. For a dehydrated person lost in the desert, water is a (cite, site, sight) for sore eyes.
5. She thought she saw a ghost at the old grave (cite, site, sight) on Charles Street.
6. I need to (cite, site, sight) one more source to complete the requirements for my paper.

Answers
1. The teacher wants us to cite a credible author for our assignment.
2. Susan’s husband works at the archeological site on Tuesdays.
3. After I looked at the sun for a long time, I momentarily lost my sight.
4. For a dehydrated person lost in the desert, water is a sight for sore eyes.
5. She thought she saw a ghost at the old grave site on Charles Street.
6. I need to cite one more source to complete the requirements for my paper.

 

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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