Citing or Siting or Sighting - Common Grammar Mistake

'Citing', 'siting', and 'sighting' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'citing', 'siting', and 'sighting' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.

'Citing' is the present participle of the verb 'cite', which means to quote or refer to a source of information. It is used when you want to give credit to someone else's work or ideas in your own writing.

'Siting' is the present participle of the verb 'site', which means to choose or locate a place for something. It is used when you want to talk about the process of selecting a specific location for a building, project, or event.

'Sighting' is the present participle of the verb 'sight', which means to see or catch a glimpse of something. It is used when you want to describe the act of seeing or observing something, especially something unusual or rare.

Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'citing', 'siting', and 'sighting'.

'Citing''Siting''Sighting'
The word 'citing' is the present participle of the verb 'cite', which means to quote or refer to a source of information.The word 'siting' is the present participle of the verb 'site', which means to choose or locate a place for something.The word 'sighting' is the present participle of the verb 'sight', which means to see or catch a glimpse of something.
  • I am citing this article in my research paper. (referring to a source of information)
  • She is always careful about citing her sources in her academic writing. (giving credit to someone else's work or ideas)
  • The committee is currently siting a new school in the city. (choosing a location for a new school)
  • They are siting the concert venue in the park. (locating a place for the concert)
  • We had a sighting of a rare bird in our backyard. (seeing something unusual or rare)
  • There have been several sightings of UFOs in this area. (catching a glimpse of something uncommon)

To remember the difference between 'citing', 'siting', and 'sighting', it can be helpful to understand their meanings and usage in different contexts.

Here are some examples of correct usage:

  • I will be citing the author's research in my presentation. (referring to a source of information)
  • The city council is siting a new park near the river. (choosing a location for a new park)
  • We had a sighting of dolphins during our beach trip. (seeing something unusual or rare)

Remembering the correct usage of 'citing', 'siting', and 'sighting' will improve your grammar and communication skills.