Cite vs Site | Difference, Meaning & Use
You cite a source, article, example, etc. (i.e., “cite” is a verb), but a site is a place, or location, such as a construction site or an internet site (i.e., “site” is a noun).
- Cite and site are pronounced in the same way (i.e., they are homophones).
- The verb cite means to refer to something to support an argument or as an example (e.g., in an essay), sometimes by repeating exactly what someone else has written or said. It can also mean to officially order that a person appear before a court because they are accused of violating a law.
- A site is a location where something significant has taken place (e.g., a “battle site”), a place used for a particular purpose (e.g., a “waste disposal site”), or the land where buildings are located or being built (e.g., a “construction site”, a “prime site”).
| Cite in a sentence | Site in a sentence |
|---|---|
| How you cite a source depends on the citation style you’ve been asked to follow, the type of source you’re citing, and whether it’s a full or in-text citation. | The site for the company’s new manufacturing facility has not been chosen yet. |
| Social media is often cited as a reason for the spread of misinformation in today’s society. | Archaeologists will begin excavating the historic site in June. |
Siting or citing
Citing means “quoting” or “mentioning,” whereas siting means “placing,” “locating,” or “the selection of a location.”
The word citing is the present participle form of the verb “cite” (e.g., “I was citing it as a positive example, not making a criticism”), while siting is the gerund form of the verb “site” (e.g., “There were many objections to the siting of the factory at this location”).
| Siting in a sentence | Citing in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The siting of the stadium in the city is unlikely due to concerns over traffic congestion. | The mayor said he would not support the stadium project, citing traffic congestion as his main objection. |
Siting or sitting
Siting (spelled with one “t”) is the rarely used gerund form of the verb “site” (e.g., “The siting of the statue in the main square was controversial”), so it means “site,” “location,” or “the choosing of a location.”
Sitting (with double “t”), however, is the present participle of the verb “sit” (e.g., “The kids were sitting in front of the TV”) as well as a noun (used more commonly in British English than American English) that means a meeting of an official body (e.g., “an emergency court sitting”) or a period during which food is served (e.g., “There are two sittings for lunch in the cafeteria”).
| Siting in a sentence (rarely used) | Sitting in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Siting the building on the outskirts of town is a more cost-effective option. | She’s sitting outside, on the porch. |
| There are three options for the siting of the new hospital. | The committee will decide at a special sitting tomorrow morning. |
| I don’t think siting will be problematic because the city is very keen to attract investment in the form of construction projects. | Are you coming down for lunch in the cafeteria? The second sitting is about to start. |
*Sitation
Sitation is a misspelling of the noun citation. A “citation” is a reference to a source in a piece of academic writing, so the reader knows where the information, ideas, or evidence in the text came from. A book citation, for instance, includes details like the book’s title and publisher as well as the author’s name.
The word “citation” can also mean a document or speech for the purpose of officially recognizing something a person has achieved, or an official notice to appear before a court of law or pay a fine because you are accused of breaking a law.
She received a citation for services to the theater at the organization’s annual conference.
The police officer issued me a traffic citation for speeding.
Frequently asked questions about cite vs site
- Is it siting or sighting?
-
A sighting is when you see something unusual or significant (e.g., “There have been three sightings of the bear on the outskirts of the town”), while siting is a rarely used word that means “locating” or “selecting the location of” (e.g. “The siting of the nuclear facility will be very problematic”).
On a related note, if you’re not sure whether to spell it cite or site, “cite” is a verb, while “site” is typically used as a noun.
Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It will help you avoid spelling errors with homophones such as “siting” and “sighting.”
- Is it cite or sight?
-
The verb cite means “refer to” or “quote,” while the noun sight means “something you can see,” “what is in view,” or your “ability to see.”
Cite vs sight examples She cited it as an example in her speech today.Did you have time to see all the sights?
The ship was almost out of sight, its funnels barely visible.
I have perfect sight when I’m wearing my glasses.
It can also be tricky to decide whether to spell it cite or site, so remember that “cite” is a verb (“citation” is the noun) and “site” is typically used as a noun.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you avoid spelling errors with homophones like “cite” and “sight.”
