Sorry. Have to do it.

Christcorp

15-Year Member
Joined
May 21, 2008
Messages
5,377
This is NOT a dig on ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON. So don't let your panties ride up on you. This happens dozens or hundreds of times each application season. And this is usually brought up EVERY YEAR TOO. Whether you actually receive an appointment to the academy(ies); or you attend a traditional University; I think it's important to show that you are actually an "Educated" person.

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Principal (adjective or noun) conveys the meaning of "primary" or "chief" - like [as adjective] e.g. the principal aim of a series of tasks,or [as noun] the principal of a school. It is also used as the chief part of a loan (i.e., not the interest), as in apply the extra $50 in this month's mortgage payment toward the principal. (HINT: This is the type of "Nomination" you want to receive).
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Principle (noun) is a rule, law or general truth. E.g. The principles of mathematics, Rule, Axiom, Precept, Doctrine, Moral.
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FWIW: These two words have absolutely NOTHING in common; other than the way they sound. Most people have learned the difference between "HERE" and "HEAR"; "THERE" and "THEIR"; "WHERE" and "WEAR"; why do so many people not know the difference between "PRINCIPAL" and "PRINCIPLE"? You're college bound. You might want to prove it.

Anyway, if you don't take it personal and you learn from it; great. If you take it personal, that wasn't my intention; that's your problem. Sorry.
 
And while we're at it, why isn't the word phonetic spelled phonetically?
 
As a university instructor, I can tell you that I have both students AND colleagues who make this error in particular. In fact, I have read memos from incredibly articulate individuals who inadvertently transpose letters, use incorrect tense and word form, and I am not immune, or perfect either. With all due respect (and I sincerely mean that) confusing "principle" with "principal" is not a capital offense. Think of it this way; your school PRINCIPAL is your "pal", and the most important guy in the building. PrinciPAL equates to number one, primary ( as CC said), and as above, most important. Hope this helps, and best of luck!
 
+1.

Didn't realize this was a peeve of yours. But i guess after so many years of SAF and being an ALO...
 
Mdanderson: That doesn't say much about where you work. Good work CC.

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This is NOT a dig on ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON. So don't let your panties ride up on you. This happens dozens or hundreds of times each application season. And this is usually brought up EVERY YEAR TOO. Whether you actually receive an appointment to the academy(ies); or you attend a traditional University; I think it's important to show that you are actually an "Educated" person.

*****************************************
Principal (adjective or noun) conveys the meaning of "primary" or "chief" - like [as adjective] e.g. the principal aim of a series of tasks,or [as noun] the principal of a school. It is also used as the chief part of a loan (i.e., not the interest), as in apply the extra $50 in this month's mortgage payment toward the principal. (HINT: This is the type of "Nomination" you want to receive).
______________________________________________

Principle (noun) is a rule, law or general truth. E.g. The principles of mathematics, Rule, Axiom, Precept, Doctrine, Moral.
****************************************

FWIW: These two words have absolutely NOTHING in common; other than the way they sound. Most people have learned the difference between "HERE" and "HEAR"; "THERE" and "THEIR"; "WHERE" and "WEAR"; why do so many people not know the difference between "PRINCIPAL" and "PRINCIPLE"? You're college bound. You might want to prove it.

Anyway, if you don't take it personal and you learn from it; great. If you take it personal, that wasn't my intention; that's your problem. Sorry.


You're post cot me off-guard, butt, its vary important information, pacifically fore applicants, to no and get write. Thanks.
 
So do we get to vote on our favorite misused homophones? Mine are peak, peek, and pique.
Fun book along this topic is "Eats, shoots, and leaves" by Lynne Truss.
 
Mdanderson: That doesn't say much about where you work. Good work CC.

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LOL, no I guess it doesn't. But I do work in a prestigious university setting, and in the real world, even the most articulate and educated commit an occasional grammatical error. Learning takes place when we identify our weaknesses ( and we all have them), learn from mistakes, and use resources when needed.
 
Again; not digging any individual, but I really don't think it's an "Occasional" grammatical error. That would imply that "normally", a person would use the words correctly, but because of a lack of attention to detail, bad day, tired, etc... they simply made an "occasional" mistake. This is very common with the word "TO vs TOO". Especially when in a rush. It's easy to forget the extra "O".

But almost never do I see a poster confuse words like: "Can you HERE me now" or "WEAR are you going on vacation". (Unless of course they are using a smart phone and using SPEECH to TEXT and the phone gets it wrong).

I think it's just that the words "Principal" and "Principle" aren't used that often. No where (wear) near as many times as To/Too, Where/Wear, Here/Hear, etc... Therefor, many simply don't know when to use the proper one.

By all means we all have our FUBAR/SNAFU moments. We all make mistakes. I brought this up because this isn't really a case of people using the word correctly MOST of the time, and "Occasionally" they mess it up. It's pretty much a, "People rarely use the word, and many actually don't know which word means what".
 
Well, for whatever its worth, if I mixed up principal and principle, I blame my Elementary school teacher. She always say "the princiPAL is your PAL". That stuck with me. :rolleyes:
 
You're/your, then/than, accept/except, it's/its, fewer/less, lie/lay - seem to be the most common errors I see.
 
The one that everyon get's wrong (including me)... effect / affect.
 
What about all of the wrongful apostrophe use, even on these forums?

ALO's, get's, 1980's...
 
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