A homophone is a tricky topic in the English language. There are many homophones in English. We need to comprehend homophones in writing instead of learning how to pronounce them. Sight and Site are two homophonic words among many groups of homophones. We must understand to differentiate between sight and site by understanding meaning and spellings.
Sight vs Site
The main difference between sight and site is that sight means vision or the power of seeing. On the other hand, a site is a location or an abbreviation for a website. Moreover, the word sight can be a noun and a verb. However, the word site is a noun.
The word sight is known to be one of the words available in the English language. It can act as a noun and a verb, depending on usage in a sentence. As a noun, sight means someone’s vision or a piece of equipment for weapon training. The word sight is a verb when it means to look at someone.
A few centuries ago, the English word “site” first appeared. In the English language, it functions as a noun. It means a location that is fit for construction (buildings, monuments, etcetera). The word site is also often used as a short form of the word website (a browser-accessible by the internet).
Comparison Table Between Sight and Site
| Parameters of Comparison | Sight | Site |
| Definition | The word sight means vision or to glance. | The word site means a place available for constructing buildings. |
| A Trick To Remember | The word sight consists of five letters, and the third letter, G, is silent. | Spell the word according to the pronunciation. |
| Parts of Speech | The word sight falls under two parts of speech (noun and verb). | The word site is a name, so it is a noun. |
| Origin | The word sight originates from proto German. | The word site has its origin in the French language. |
| Example | My sight is perfect. | I have found the perfect site for the construction of a hotel. |
What is Sight?
The word sight is an English word. This word has been borrowed from proto German and appeared in English in the 14th century. This word can be employed as a noun and a verb. When it means eyesight or vision, it acts as a noun. The sentences which we can make are:
- I am going to the hospital for a sight checkup.
- Eagle‘s sight is perfect.
In both sentences, sight has been referred to as the eyesight of a living being (humans and animals). The word sight is also the name of the device which aids us in aiming a target via ranged weapon in the training academy.
The Example
- I am learning to shoot with the assistance of sight.
In this sentence, sight is a piece of equipment available at training institutes.
When sight means to look at something or to glance, it acts as a transitive verb (we need an object while using it as a verb). The second and third form of the verb sight is sighted. The sentences which we can make are:
- I sight at stars at night.
- I love sighting at birds.
In both sentences, the term sight is a synonym of look and glance.
What is a Site?
The English word site has originated from the French language. The word site falls under noun as it is a reference to the place where some building has to be constructed. The word site also serves as a short name for a website.
Whenever people look for land for houses, public buildings, private buildings, that place is known as a site. Moreover, the browsers we surf online with internet access, are recognized as a site.
Many variables contribute to the transformation of the site into a valuable structure (purpose for the building, availability of basic amenities in the surroundings, profit of the businessman, demand of the people).
When all of the criteria for a location match, it is referred to as the ideal site. Furthermore, in the area of technology, sites are created by developers. These sites are beneficial not only for builders but also for owners and customers.
It means a site developer earns a handsome amount on creating a site. Moreover, the site owner generates profit by delivering services to the end-user. Customers benefit from comfortable access to the services.
Sites run on the web are regarding shopping, instilling knowledge, fun content, fictional content, bloggers, etc. All these sites are helpful for different people.
Since the site has two meanings, both are used in different contexts.
The examples are:
- The site available for a hospital is away from the industries.
- I have ordered pizza from the Dominoes site.
In the first sentence site is a location. In the second sentence, the word site is a website.
Main Differences Between Sight and Site
- The word sight is associated with the eyesight of living beings. On the other hand, the word site is linked with the place.
- The word sight is a five-letter word. On the other side, the word site is four letters.
- The word sight has been taken from the German language. However, the word site comes from the French words.
- The word sight can be a noun and a verb in different contexts. On the other hand, the word site indicates a name, so the word site is a noun.
- The word sight consists of the silent letter G. However, the word site has no silent letters and is pronounced according to the spellings.
Conclusion
Out of many homophonic words, sight and site are pairs of homophones. It means both the phrases are similar in sound, however, very different in meaning, origin, and spelling. Since spelling plays a vital role in homophones, one must be primarily aware of the spelling than the pronunciation.
A simple trick to remember the word sight is that the five-letter word will act as both a noun and verb. On the other side, the four-letter word site is a noun. Once we are clear with this difference, then start learning the usage of sight and site in different sentences accordingly.
References
- https://www.bmj.com/content/307/6903/544.short
- https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1598/RT.62.1.2