3 replies to this topic

[California]

My apologies for introducing such a trivial point, but is the distinction between principal and principle now a completely lost cause? I was stunned reading the review by Robert Gottlieb, editor (and critic) extraordinaire, to see this used incorrectly and just assumed a well-intentioned copy editor made the mistake:

Quote

The principles, the four couples, come and go in a rapid and inevitable flow, ...

http://observer.com/...-ups-and-downs/

I've been seeing this used incorrectly in more and more places, including many supposedly professional outlets for writing.

In grade school, we learned a simple rule for keeping them straight:

"The principal is my pal." So, "principal" is for persons in a leading role.

"Principle is like a rule, both end in 'le.'" It's never a person.

I blame texting shortcuts for the decline in spelling, but I also blame spell-check. As long as the word matches a correct spelling, it goes through, even if it's the wrong one. Oh well...chalk this up to lost causes, I guess.

[volcanohunter]

I share your frustration. I've seen the reverse problem as well, with people writing about "standing on principal," and so forth. Sadly, English has a homonym problem.

[dirac]

I don't think this confusion is a recent development. We're just seeing it more often because there's more carelessness in proofing and editing on the internet (not that such sloppiness doesn't occur in print, as well). As California notes, spell check is also a culprit. When I post links I routinely see references to "principle" dancers, and if I'm using text with the error for a quote I correct it before posting.

[sandik]

Nice mnemonic (which is a word I always have to look up)!  "The principal is my pal..."