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L'outil Writing Tips a été archivé et ne sera plus mis à jour jusqu'à son retrait définitif.

Pour obtenir notre contenu le plus à jour, veuillez consulter Writing Tips Plus, un outil combinant le contenu des outils Writing Tips et The Canadian Style. N'oubliez pas de modifier vos favoris!

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Pour commencer votre recherche, cliquez sur la première lettre du mot voulu dans l'alphabet ci-dessous.

principal, principle

Principal is an adjective meaning “chief” or “leading.”

  • The principal element in the group’s strategy was surprise.
  • Lorne Kennedy played the principal character in the comedy Present Laughter.

Principal is also a noun indicating a person in authority or a sum of money, usually a loan.

  • The high school principal supported the policy against bullying.
  • The monthly mortgage payment includes principal, interest and taxes.

Principle, which can be used only as a noun, refers to a universal law or rule of conduct.

  • According to the uncertainty principle, one alters subatomic particles simply by observing them.
  • Hilary has very high principles; she never lies, steals or gossips.