Which statement correctly differentiates principal from principle?

• A. Principal is a duty; principle is a person.
• B. Principal is a rule; principle is a person.
• C. Principal refers to a person; principle refers to a rule.
• D. They have the same meaning.

Answer: (C)

Principal and principle differ by meaning and how they’re used. Principal is used for a person in a leading role or position (for example, a school principal), and it can also mean the main or foremost thing in some contexts. Principle refers to a rule, guideline, or fundamental belief that guides behavior (such as the principle of fairness or the principles of physics). In this item, the best answer is the one that states principal refers to a person and principle refers to a rule, because that captures how the words are used in ordinary language. The other options mix up who or what each word denotes or treat them as interchangeable, which isn’t correct. Quick tip: if you can replace the word with “rule” or “belief,” it’s principle; if you can replace it with “person,” it’s principal.