Is it principle? Or is it principal? And has overthinking this word pair got your headhole in a pickle?

If you’re after a way to remember the difference between these confusables, here are the mnemonics I created for myself…

Principal

There are three meanings here, adding to the bafflement.

As an adjective #1

What is it? The first, main or most important thing.

Example: My principal concern is that the mozzarella sticks will have all been scoffed before I reach the front of the buffet queue.

How I remember it: Principal has an ‘a’, which is first in the alphabet.

As an adjective #2

What is it? A sum of money invested or lent to someone.

Example: I know nowt about investments and repaying the principal balance on a loan, so let’s skim on past that.

How I remember it: Principal has a ‘pa’ and so does paid.

As a noun

What is it? The most important person in an organisation or rank.

Example: The school principal accidentally slipped out a squeaker in assembly as she leant over to change the acetate on the overhead projector. (I have no modern day educational reference – it's still 1993.)

How I remember it: They’re the top person so they’re the top pal.

Principle

It’s a noun

What is it? A rule, belief, law, theory, standard or fact.

Example: Concocting sea salt hair spray with sea water, rock salt from the kitchen grinder and a tub of 97p Superdrug hair gel (purple – you know the stuff) seemed an ace idea in principle. It was not.

Example: She stood by her principles. There’s nothing wrong with microwaving frozen food that doesn’t specifically state microwave cooking instructions. Adds a touch of chew to the fish finger sarnie.

How I remember it: Principle has an ‘le’ and so does rule.

Word wobbles

If other word pairs like lead/led or program/programme get your boxers in a bunch, take a look at these regularly confused words in your marketing copy. You might find some of these slip through too.

And for a proofreading process you can follow yourself, I’ve created two proofreading guides that make it easy for you.