“Principle” vs. “Principal” - A Summary

In sum, the word principle is always a noun. Essentially it means “rule.” It will never appear as an adjective. Its only possible adjectival form is principled.

The word principal is an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, it essentially means just one thing: “main.” As a noun, it refers either to people or money (or a rafter).

With these ideas now firmly in mind, you can see how your main high-school principal, who knows about finances, might refer to his primary money rule like this:

the principal principal’s principal principal principle

It is, after all:

the main principal’s primary money rule

 

Previous: The Word “Principal”

Next: Our chapter title should thus read…