Scene versus Sight

[Van Khanh]

Please read:

1/ This is a delighful rural scene/sight.
2/ The boats in the harbour make a beautiful scene/sight.
3/They went abroad for a change of scene/sight.
4/The flowers are a lovely sight/scene in spring.
5/He saw some amazing sight/scene at the zoo.
6/ A suffering animal is a distressing sight/scene.

These 2 words "scene" and "sight" are interchangeable in only thesecases? If not, please tell me the difference in meaning btw them.

Thanks
K

[Torsten]

[Mordant]

Hi.

1) They can be interchangeable, but if we are just looking at one thing, such as a house or a person, "scene" is inappropriate. A scene is really everything within your field of view. (It is also the location of some event, especially a crime, but that is a different use.) A sight is anything that can be seen.

2) They make for a beautiful scene. They are a beautiful sight.

3) Only "scene" is appropriate. That is a fixed phrase, and it has little or nothing to do with vision.

4) Only "sight" is appropriate.

5) Either is appropriate, but they must be plural.

6) Only "sight" is appropriate. See my first distinction between the words.