Let’s continue with Word Knots, where we look at common instances of words that are often confused or misused. 

Once again our source for this is installment is The Dictionary of Disagreeable English by Robert Hartwell Fiske (Chicago: Writer’s Digest Books). It’s a great book: Check it out.

Rather than take a stern ‘grammar police’ approach we always try to keep it light and in each installment point out examples of semantic confusion that should be considered “must to avoid.”

From Fiske:

principle

Misused for principal.  

As Fiske says:

A principle (always a noun) is a truth, law, standard, or rule. Principal, as an adjective, means chief or highest in importance. As a noun, it means a person who holds a high position or has a main role; a sum of money that is owed an on which interest is charged.

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These two are easy to confuse and Fiske even pointed out an instance where three times in a single editorial about interest rates The Wall Street Journal used “principle” when they meant “principal.”

Grade school tip: I remember being taught to distinguish the difference using this simple phrase:

The principal is your pal.

Let’s look at the most relevant Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary definitions (edited):

principle

noun

1  a : a general or fundamental truth : a comprehensive and fundamental law : elementary proposition

    b  (1) : a governing law of conduct : an opinion, attitude, or belief 

        (2) : habitual devotion to what is right and honorable especially as a trait of character

Although nearly every handbook and many dictionaries warn against confusing principle and principal, many people still do. Principle is only a noun these days.

principal

noun

1   : a person who has controlling authority or is in a position to act independently

2   : a matter or thing of primary importance : a main or most important element

principal

adjective

1   : most important, consequential, or influential : chief, main

2   : of, relating to, or constituting principal or a principal : such as

  a : capital

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M-W points out that despite the distinct differences, many people still confuse these two. Are you listening WSJ?

Examples of each:

Following traffic regulations is a basic principle of safe driving.

The rogue accountant was accused of not following proper budgeting principles.

After years of study from an early age, she became the principal dancer at 18.

The rowdy students were sent to the principal.

Once again, word choice is critical, which is why checking your work is an important step toward ensuring that your intended meaning is clear.

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