There are no differences in style between these two words. The only conflict here is the word usage.
- Principle: a basic truth, law, or assumption
- Principal: first or foremost in importance
There may be confusion since both of these words do sound alike and their basic definitions can be relative to each other. But as any dictionary can attest these 2 words are alike but different.
Works Cited
- “Principle”. The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition, 2001.
- “Principal”. The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition, 2001.