Principal vs principle: do you know the difference?

PRINCIPAL or PRINCIPLE: which is which? Simple spelling tips to help you remember the difference.

PRINCIPAL or PRINCIPLE – two words with very different meanings. What do they mean – and how do you decide which spelling you need? It’s easy.

These spelling tips will help you decide whether you need to write PRINCIPAL or PRINCIPLE.

Principal

PRINCIPAL is a noun, meaning the head of a school or college, or the most important person within an organisation.

The easiest way to learn this is to remember that PAL is a noun: your PAL the princiPAL.

For example:

“Ms George is the college principal.”

Spelled this way, PRINCIPAL is also an adjective, meaning the chief or most important.

“Increasing turnover is our principal goal.”

Remember the A in principAl and the A in mAin.

Principle

PRINCIPLE is also a noun that describes a fundamental truth or belief.

For example:

“These are the principles of good grammar.”
OR
“I don’t agree with his principles.”

I hope this helps you to remember the difference between PRINCIPAL and PRINCIPLE.

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