The Differences Between “Principle” and “Principal”

by Ken Bresler
The Vocubula Review, November 2014

 Principle. Always a noun. It means a guiding rule. A mnemonic (a memory device) is that “principle” and “rule” both end in “le.”

Principal: A noun (sometimes). It means a leading figure, a partner, or a school head. Contract law and the law of agency discuss the relationship between a principal and agent. Criminal law discusses a principal in the first degree and second degree. Mnemonic: The principal is my pal.

Principal: An adjective (sometimes). It means leading, primary. Examples: A principal goal, the principal dissent in a Supreme Court case. .

Principal: A noun (sometimes). Assets, money, capital. Example: A guideline of investing is: Spend the interest, but don’t touch the principal. .

Here’s the Montana Supreme Court getting it wrong: “[A] basic principal in the law of defamation is that an expression of opinion generally does not carry a defamatory meaning and is thus not actionable.” (The case: McConkey v. Flathead Electric Cooperative, 125 P.3d 1121, 1130 (Mont. S. Ct. 2005)(citation omitted).) The court meant “principle.”

Here’s a federal district court getting it wrong: “What is germane to these cases is the basic principal that the Constitution protects political activity by citizens when addressing government in its legislative capacity.” (The case: Compact v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, 594 F. Supp. 1567, 1573 (M.D. Tenn. 1984).)

Both courts meant “principle.” (And both courts should have deleted “basic.” Principles are basic. Principles are fundamental; the phrases “basic principles” and “fundamental principles” are redundant.)

Here’s a state trial court in New York getting it wrong: “NRI Construction had not completed any projects of similar size and extent, either, and had no LEED accredited professionals on staff and did not plan to hire or consult with any. A principle of the company was to oversee the LEED aspects of the project.” (The case: In the Matter of the Petition of E & A Restoration, Inc., For a Judgment Pursuant to CPLR Article 78 in the Nature of Mandamus v. Town of North Hempstead, No. 19375/10, 2011 NY Slip Op 30252(U) (Supreme Ct., Nassau County Jan. 25, 2011).)

This one takes a moment to figure out. A company can have a principle – a guiding rule. But the context demonstrates that the court was not discussing a rule, but a person who was to oversee aspects of the project. Hence, the court should have used “principal.”

If you can’t remember the differences between “principle” and “principle,” remember that differences exist. Look up the differences – or bookmark this page – and use the right word.