Word Choice

Principal means primary or most important.

The ability to communicate effectively is the principal requirement for the administrative position.

Principal is also used, in its noun form, to refer to the chief administrator of a school. (An easy way to remember the spelling is to think of the school principal as your pal.)

Principle is a doctrine or rule of conduct.

The United States was founded on Biblical principles.

Another common use of principle is with the phrase “on principle.”

The victim sued for damages, not for the money, but on the basis of principle.

See rein/reign.

Stationary and stationery are confused probably more by their similar spellings than by their definitions, which are quite different. The one-letter spelling difference in these two words makes them easy to confuse.

Stationary with an “a” means “not moving”: The dog lay stationary in the hot sun.

Stationery (with an “e”) refers to writing materials, usually paper.

The way I remember the difference between the two is by associating the  “e” in stationery with envelopes, because envelopes are often used with writing materials.

Which is correct?

Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla.

Chocolate ice cream is better then vanilla.

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Viral refers to something caused by a virus, for example, the common cold, which is a viral infection. Virile is masculine or manly, especially in a sexual way.

An infection is viral, but a man is virile.

The two have different pronunciations as well. Viral is pronounced “vye-ral,” virile as “veer-al.”

To be wary is to be cautious or watchful.

Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true.

To be weary is to be tired or fatigued.

The residents grew weary of the constant construction noise in the neighborhood.

“Who/that” mix-ups are quite common because many people believe that the words may be used interchangeably. In fact, that refers to an object or animal, while who refers to a person.

Incorrect: I hate people that talk on their cell phones while driving.
Correct: I hate people who talk on their cell phones while driving.

Incorrect: If you are a person that can’t sit still for five minutes…
Correct: If you are a person who can’t sit still for five minutes…

Incorrect: He’s a guy that can strike a lot of guys out.
Correct: He’s a guy who can strike a lot of guys out.

Editor’s Note: This is a reader-submitted post.

Whose is a pronoun used to show possession.

Whose car is this parked on the curb?

Who’s is a contraction for who is. (Who, by the way, is also a pronoun.)

Who’s going to pay for dinner?
We are having a house guest who’s staying for a month.

Your is the possessive form of you. You’re is a contraction for “you are”.

Your car’s headlights are on.

According to the weather forecast, you’re [you are] going to drive into a snow storm.