[Image credit: Stuart Miles]
Last weekend I posted a comment on Facebook and used the word site to describe a location. After typing it, I experienced a little panicky feeling that I used the wrong homophone (a word pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning). Although site was used correctly, a grammar lesson was born. Briefly, cite means to quote, mention, illustrate or reference and is derived from the root word citation. The word site is typically used as a noun to reference position or place or as a verb meaning to position or locate, and is related to situation and situate. As for sight, it is used as a noun to describe vision and appearance or a verb meaning to notice or observe; its synonyms are eyesight and view. If you think about how each word is related to its synonyms or roots, it should make it easier to ensure you’re using the “write” one.
What is your surefire way to keep from mixing up these three words?
Nov 15, 2012 @ 16:10:49
I do sometimes mix up site and sight–not because I forget the difference, but just because I’m typing so fast. In that event, I have to hope I pick it up on one of my many proof reads. 🙂
Nov 15, 2012 @ 20:57:12
~ speaking of typing too fast, or not really (which reminds me of my dear mama’s comment that she couldn’t see what she’s saying because her tongue was caught between her eye teeth), I find myself coming up with some real winners as I learn how to swipe on my new phone LOL
Nov 15, 2012 @ 21:14:21
Oh, yes, phone typing is a whole other beast.
Nov 15, 2012 @ 18:29:00
Can’t say I am ever in doubt with specifically those three, but there are definitely other homophones that give me troubles occasionally. For example, discreet and discrete can get a bit tricky!
I’m convinced that inventors of the English language did this to mess with us!
Nov 15, 2012 @ 20:59:25
~ I wondered if anyone else has issues with these three words when just today I received a text about the “site” of someone. Of course, with swipe and predictive text, it’s easier to pass the blame 😉