Back to English

Would you proudly say that your principle is Mr. Brown? The problem is, in spoken English, “principle” and “principal” are homophones – they are pronounced the same way. So when it comes to spelling it out, students (and even adults) get confused. Here are the differences.

• principle (n.) - the basic rule that controls or tells how something happens or works, the fundamentals
  
• principal (n.) – the head of a school or college, the leader of a group
  
• principal (adj.) – the first in rank, importance, the foremost

Examples:

1. My principals in life have made me a better person. (X)
   My principles in life have made me a better person. (√)
2. The principals of accounting is taught only to foundation students. (X)
   The principles of accounting is taught only to foundation students. (√)
3. The principle of Ethan Elementary has transformed the school into a well-respected one. (X)
   The principal of Ethan Elementary has transformed the school into a well-respected one. (√)
4. We urgently need to replace our principle violinist who is ill, or else the concert could not go on. (X)
   We urgently need to replace our principal violinist who is ill, or else the concert could not go on. (√)
5. Only the principle credit card holder is authorized to request for the account balance. (X)
   Only the principal credit card holder is authorized to request for the account balance. (√)

So the school principal is teaching his students the principles of economics. (Thanks, Rose for the input.)

Picture this: You’re talking to a friend, and you want to describe something but the word just doesn’t seem to form in your mind. You end up describing it in a very long phrase, or you’d say something like: “I don’t know what word to use but it’s ….” – well, don’t get me wrong. It’s alright to use a phrase, but it’s more colourful to be able to substitute those long phrases with just one word that tells all.

Today’s post aims to provide you with descriptive words to describe personalities. Refer to the table below. The ones in blue are negative personalities. Take note that the list is non-exhaustive:

So, now that you know these words, in future, instead of saying:

• This person can be trusted.
• The referee doesn’t take sides.
• That politician is so proud that he believes he’s the only one who is right and knows everything.
• Some of my students are rude and argue a lot.

just say:

• This person is credible.
• The referee is impartial.
• That politician is so arrogant.
• Some of my students are truculent.
  

This is an interesting one. We know what we’re saying, yet when we write, we get both words mixed up. In fact, there shouldn’t be a confusion because the words are not even homophones. They are pronounced a little differently. One is spelt with a “v” and the other with an “f “.

• save (v.) – to keep (there are other meanings as well)
  
• safe (adj.) – not in danger, protected

Examples:

• I had to safe myself because the fire could not be extinguished. (X)
  I had to save myself because the fire could not be extinguished. (√)
• They are now save from the horrible weather. (X)
  They are now safe from the horrible weather. (√)

Now that you know the difference, make sure you save your money in a safe place. Make sure you know how to spell the word correctly. Often what you speak is not what you write. Isn’t English interesting?

Everywhere you go, you’ll see people carry bags. Small bags, big bags and medium-sized bags; old bags and new bags; leather bags and imitation leather ones. Do you know that there are so many types of bags, each with its own name?

I was walking down the stairs after buying lunch from the cafe when I heard two students chatting on their way up. One of them said:

• “I treat you because every time you treat me.”

I perfectly understood what they meant. It’s just the Malaysian way of saying that you’ll give someone a treat. However, the word “treat” is quite incorrectly used in that sentence.

• treat (v.) = give medical care
• treat (v.) = pay for someone’s meal

Examples:

1. Let me treat you. (X) – quite incorrect
2. Let me treat you to a nice meal. (√) - take note of the word “to”
3. Let me give you a treat. (√)

However, if you’re a doctor attending to a patient, it’s correct to say:

• The doctor is busy treating so many patients today. (√)
• He’s being treated for cancer. (√)
• Dr. Wong treats his patients without drugs. (√)

Well, confusing huh? What the heck, just say: “Let’s go Dutch.”