Easy enough? Maybe.
Remember:
- “Insight” (stress the first syllable) is a noun, meaning a greater understanding of something. If someone is “insightful” (the adjective form), they might be wise, sagacious, or show a deeper comprehension of something—like you after you’ve read a good language tips blog, right?
- “Incite” (stress the second syllable) is a verb, meaning to stir up, motivate, or call into action. Often it is used in terms of “inciting an insurrection” or “inciting violence,” but any major momentum can work with this verb. It doesn’t have to be something negative. Inciting world peace? Why not?
Do “insight” and “incite” sound quite similar? Indeed they do, yet their distinct spellings are important to understand.
“Insight” has been a part of the English language since the 1200s, and “incite” entered English in the 1400s. Word cousins of “insight” include the obvious ones, such as “sight,” “hindsight,” and “foresight” to name a few, all of which seem to come from the Old High German word siht. Close relations of “incite” are “excite,” “recite,” and “citation”—all having the same Middle French root of citare, meaning “to put into motion.”
But then more questions follow…
What is the plural of the noun “insight”? Or is there a plural form?
Oh no… oh yes… another language debate is upon us.
Some argue that “insight” is not a countable noun. Even if one has many ideas, these sources say, you could still include these many ideas within a new insight (singular). Or you might be a person of great insight, which makes you complex but the word itself remains singular. Thus, these sources contend that “insight” works for all purposes.
Others claim that because one could count different revelations on one’s fingers, one after the other, that there should indeed be the plural form “insights.”
Countable or uncountable? What do you think?
I argue both can work in a plural situation. The English language can be fluid, and this is one more example of that fluidity.
“Insight” vs. “Incite”? In conclusion…
Not so far off from “flair” vs “flare,” “immolate” vs “emulate,” “inflamed” vs. “enflamed,” and “lighted vs. “lit,” there’s a certain level of heat when we talk about the differences between “incite” and “insight.” But be safe with matches and fiery language, folks. Good luck with those insights, and may you incite greatness in all you pursue.
You’ve got this.
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