Principal or principle: which is correct?
Correct
principal (main; the head of a school; a capital sum) / principle (a rule or belief)
Avoid
principle (for "main": "the principle reason")
Avoid
principal (for a rule: "a man of principal")
Summary
Correct: principal (main; the head of a school; a capital sum) / principle (a rule or belief) — Avoid: principle (for "main": "the principle reason") / principal (for a rule: "a man of principal"). Principal = main, most important (adjective), or the head of a school or a sum of money (noun); principle = a fundamental rule, law or belief.
- Part of speech
- adjective, noun / noun
- Source
- Oxford
Why
Oxford: principal is mainly an adjective meaning main (and a noun for a head person or a capital sum); principle is only ever a noun meaning a fundamental rule. The old mnemonic still works: the principal is your pal.
Examples
- The principal reason for the delay was the weather.
- He refused the offer on principle.
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