They were regarded as a principled organisation, one that made decisions based on enlightened self-interest rather than raw profit.Īgain, a mnemonic can help distinguish the words. It also forms the adjective principled, which means based on, or characterised by, principles, i.e. We recycle electronic waste on principle, not because it is more convenient. I agree with the idea in principle, but we will need to discuss it in detail. Principle is commonly used in the phrases in principle, which means in theory, and on principle, which means because of one’s beliefs or ethical code: Self-similarity is a fundamental principle of fractal geometry. Her lifestyle was founded on the principles of honesty, simplicity, and kindness.Ĭorruption undermines the principles of democracy. He replaced the damaged item as a matter of principle. Principle is only ever a noun, and means a rule, doctrine, standard of conduct, general scientific or natural law, or basis of a system of thought or action. You are unlikely to use the word in these technical senses unless you already do so frequently, in which case you are more likely to know its spelling. the person directly responsible for a crime the person represented by an agent or proxy the main body of capital, not counting interest or revenue. Principal (n) also has various financial and legal definitions, e.g. To remember this you could think of the a common to princip al, prim ary, and m ain, or the -al at the end of both princip al and offici al.
Job satisfaction was the principal reason for her decision.Īs a noun its chief meaning is principal official, main participant or person of primary rank:Īll the principals attended the company’s AGM.Īfter eight years at the school he became its principal. Principal is usually an adjective that means main, chief, primary, most important, most influential, or highest ranking: Even when the difference has been taught in school, it is easily forgotten, so a quick recap and some mnemonics might help keep their meanings mutually distinct. Although they derive from the same root, there is no current overlap in meaning. The homophones principal and principle are often confused with each other.
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