Mistake: Principal vs Principle
principal = head/main; principle = rule.
Examples
- school principal
- a principle of honesty
Key rules
- Principal means main, or the head of a school
- Principle means a basic rule or belief
- The adjective and noun meanings are different
Common mistakes
- a school principle → a school principal
- a principal of honesty → a principle of honesty
Use cases
- Writing about schools
- Discussing ethics
- Business policy
💡 Tip: Think of a principal as a person or the main thing; a principle is a rule.