“Principle aim” or “principal aim”: which is correct?
principal aim
The short answer
The correct term is principal aim. Principal is an adjective that means most important or main, which fits the context of aiming or focusing on the primary objective.
Word choice error
Why people get it wrong
People often make this error because the words principle and principal are homophones—they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. In this context, principal aim is the correct collocation, meaning the primary or main aim of something.
Examples with principal aim
- The principal aim of the project is to improve community health.
- Our principal aim is to reduce carbon emissions by 40%.
- Education is the principal aim of our program.
Quick check
The of the project is to improve community health.
The correct term is principal aim. Principal is an adjective that means most important or main, which fits the context of aiming or focusing on the primary objective.
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