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cite vs. site

Academic writing and web writing both use these constantly, often in the same document, which is where the trouble starts. You cite a source that lives on a site. Add "sight" — the third homophone, meaning vision — and you have three words with nothing in common but sound.

cite

A verb. To quote or refer to a source as evidence or authority.

  • Remember to cite the original study.
  • The judgment cites three earlier rulings.
  • He cited budget constraints as the reason.

site

A noun. A place or location, physical or online. Occasionally a verb meaning to position something.

  • The construction site closes at six.
  • Our site had a record month.
  • They chose the site for its transport links.

Quick way to remember

Ask whether you are quoting or pointing. Quoting takes "cite," which shares its start with "citation." A place takes "site," which shares its start with "situated." And if the sentence is about eyes, it is "sight."