NewsBlues mrsbgrammar Page 113
Chapter 2 Word Choice
103
patience/patients, principal/principle
Take a look at these two sets of P-words that sound alike but have
such different meanings:
(1) patience and patients
(2) principal and principle
v
PATIENCE is what you need when you answer the newsroom
phone.
v
Most reporters are so antsy they don't make good PATIENTS.
"Principal" and "Principle" are pronounced the same.
"Principal" can be a noun or an adjective.
v
The PRINCIPAL is your pal. (Remember that from elementary
school?)
v
You pay PRINCIPAL and interest when you make that mortgage
payment.
v
The high level meeting involved all the PRINCIPALS in the
transaction.
v
The news director's PRINCIPAL concern is ratings.
"Principle" is a noun.
v
The GM is a person of high PRINCIPLES (standards).
Mrs. B dismisses you with this PRINCIPLE (rule to live by) from A
Cowgirl's Guide to Life:
"Don't let anybody's opinion kill your belief in yourself."
