The Difference Between Principal Vs Principle
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Principal vs principle: Key takeaways
Principal:
- Leader or money amount
- Head of a school
- Primary researcher
- Original loan amount
Principle:
- Rule or guiding belief
- Code of ethics
- Scientific law
- Basis for action
What do “principal” and “principle” mean?
Principle
A principle is a basic truth or rule that guides thoughts and actions. Some examples are:
- Honesty and integrity – these guide people to act ethically
- Laws of science that explain how nature works
- Rules of business, like supply and demand
Principles are abstract ideas that direct how people think and act.
Principal
A principal refers to a head leader of something or an original amount of money. Some examples are:
- The main administrator of a school
- The lead researcher in a group
- The first amount borrowed, invested, etc.
Unlike broad principles, principals are specific leaders and money amounts.
Principal vs Principle: Key Differences
While both words relate to important stuff, here are main differences:
- A principle is an abstract idea; a principal is a leader or money amount.
- Principles provide guidance for thoughts; principals take leadership actions.
- Principles influence thinking; principals directly lead groups.
This table summarizes the differences:
Principal | Principle |
---|---|
A leader | A basic rule or belief |
Head of a school | Truth guiding actions |
Original amount invested | Values guiding behavior |
Using Principal vs Principle Correctly
Because the words sound the same when speaking, pay attention to correctly use them when writing.
Principle examples:
- Good health principles are balance, variety and moderation.
- I believe in leading through honesty, care and responsibility.
- The study conflicted with rules about memory.
Principal examples:
- The new high school principal starts July 1st.
- As head researcher, Dr. Hart has overall responsibility.
- I still owe $15,000 of the principal on my car loan.
Common Mistakes
People often mix up “principal” and “principle” by mistake since they look and sound alike. Watch out for these errors:
Wrong: The main reason for bullying is a lack moral principles.
Right: The main reason for bullying is a lack of moral principles.
Wrong: As assistant principle, discipline is a big part of my job.
Right: As assistant principal, discipline is a big part of my job.
Other commonly confused words:
- Cite, site, and sight
Conclusion
In summary, “principal” refers to leaders, original money amounts, and first investments. “Principle” means a basic truth or rule that guides thoughts and actions.
Use ‘principle’ when referring to an abstract concept, moral value or general rule. Use ‘principal’ when referring to a main leader or original amount of money.
Use this guide to know when to use each word correctly.
Quick Guide: Principal vs Principle
Principal: Leader or money amount
Principle: Rule or guiding belief
Using this guide and the differences described here will help you choose the right word.