Principal vs. Principle

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What´s the difference between "principal" and "principle"?

Principal vs. Principle

"Principle" is only a noun, and all of its meanings are abstract. "Principal" is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it generally refers to a person, except in specialized legal and financial terms.

Ex: Approximately $40 of your payment goes repay the principal balance; the rest are interest payments.
Ex: I have to meet with the principal of my child's school.
Ex: We have to act on the principle that our customers are important.

   

Comments

8/29/2006 4:31:06 PM
Jackie said:

Cleared it right up for me. Good website!


3/19/2007 10:47:13 AM
gk said:

Thanks!


12/3/2007 11:39:34 AM
Carl said:

I have confused these for a very long time. Thanks for the clear & direct explaination!


12/20/2007 12:44:43 PM
Chantel said:

Thank you! That helps! :)


12/5/2008 11:29:08 AM
Tuhshunga said:

Like seriously, this helped!


1/6/2009 1:32:01 PM
Tim said:

So: The principal reason he did it was because of his principles. Correct usage?


1/20/2009 5:44:25 PM
Cyndi said:

awesome site! watch me forget it and come back later.


2/4/2009 6:07:27 PM
Nancy said:

Another way to remember it is a principle is a rule. Both end in le. That is the way I remember when to use which.


5/21/2009 4:08:47 PM
mary jane said:

i still need a gimmicky way to remember the 2


6/7/2011 10:28:16 PM
Kate said:

So, am I the "principle" consultant on project
or an I the "principal" consultant. I think its "principle" meaning the main or number one consultant.




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