Word Usage
Mary W. Ng
June 26, 2009
principal, principle
Principal as a noun means “someone who is in charge of a school”. Principal as an adjective means “main”. Principle is a noun meaning “basic idea” or “a moral rule”.
| Incorrect: | She is the principle of the school. |
| Correct: | She is the principal of the school. |
| Incorrect: | The principle parts of some verbs are shown here. |
| Correct: | The principal parts of some verbs are shown here. |
| Incorrect: | He is a man of principals. |
| Correct: | He is a man of principles. |