a principal of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a principal of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a key figure or leader in an organization, particularly in educational contexts or when discussing foundational concepts. Example: "The principal of the school emphasized the importance of community involvement in education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

IRINA DVOROVENKO, a principal of the company.

The New York Times

He remained a principal of such until his death.

The New York Times

Among the residents is a principal of Roseland, Marshall Tycher.

The New York Times

Larry Fishman, a principal of Ocean Front Acquisitions, seemed resigned to the status quo.

The New York Times

Mr. Sauer, 55, is a principal of Rolf Sauer & Partners, a landscape architecture firm in Philadelphia.

The New York Times - Style

Jones, with Ron Marshall, most recently a principal of Wildridge Capital Management, a private equity firm.

The New York Times

"We had about 5,000 applicants," said Peter Fine, a principal of the development company.

The New York Times

Kenneth M. Colao, a principal of York Hunter, did not return repeated calls seeking comment.

The New York Times

"It's really an extraordinary site," said Marshall B. Tycher, a principal of Roseland.

The New York Times

"It's an extraordinary object," said Paul Vandekar, a principal of the gallery.

The New York Times - Arts

Ann was a principal of two elementary schools in Locust Valley NY for 30 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a principal of", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a person in a leading role or a fundamental concept. Clarify with additional details if needed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal", referring to a person or primary element, with "principle", which means a fundamental rule or belief. For example, use "a principal of the company" to refer to a person, and "a principle of accounting" to refer to a rule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a principal of" functions as a noun phrase, identifying an individual in a leading role within an organization or, less commonly, a foundational element or tenet. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a principal of" is a grammatically sound and common way to refer to someone who holds a key leadership position within an organization, or a fundamental principle. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase sees frequent usage in news, business and encyclopedia sources. While generally neutral, it's crucial to distinguish between "principal" and "principle" to ensure accuracy. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "a leader of" or "a head of" to maintain semantic closeness. Remember to tailor your choice to the specific context to effectively communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a head of

Similar to principal, but implies direct management or supervision.

a director within

Focuses on the role of directing or managing within an organization, shifting from the more general 'principal' to a specific leadership function.

a chief of

Implies the position of head or leader.

a leading member of

Highlights the aspect of leadership and membership in a group, rather than the specific title of 'principal'.

a key figure in

Emphasizes importance and influence, rather than a formal position or role.

an executive at

Specifies a high-level management role within a company.

a partner in

Implies ownership or shared responsibility within a business or firm.

a fundamental of

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of something.

a cornerstone of

This phrase describes fundamental principle or a basic, essential element.

a tenet of

Replaces "principal" with "tenet", implying a core belief or doctrine.

FAQs

How is "a principal of" used in a sentence?

The phrase "a principal of" is used to indicate someone who holds a leading position within an organization or a key element of something. For example, "He is a principal of the law firm" or "Radical removal is "a principal of" tumor surgery".

What's the difference between "a principal of" and "the principal of"?

"A principal of" suggests that the person is one of several principals within an organization, while "the principal of" typically refers to the single head of an institution, such as a school.

What can I say instead of "a principal of" when referring to a person?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a leader of", "a director within", or "a head of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a principal of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a principal of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific situation.