principal person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important individual in a particular context, such as in a project or organization. Example: "The principal person responsible for the project is Jane, who has been leading the team since its inception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Because he is the principal person who has brought about this bad image for the country".

Independent

"And the principal person responsible for that is General Pinochet himself".

The New York Times

Claude Monet said of impressionism, the movement he founded and led: "Light is the principal person in the picture".

The Guardian - Arts

"It was very hard to make a leap to charge people with rape when the principal person in the trial didn't remember so many things," he said.

The New York Times

Another limitation of the visitor log is that the field for "visitee" does not always reflect the principal person holding the meetings.

The Washington Post

I also consider that it is unreasonable to expect me to read the contents of any email bombardment while dealing with a complaint from the principal person involved.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Caesar sent for fifteen of the principal persons of Massilia to attend him.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Artemisia having thus taken Rhodes, and slain the principal persons of the city, raised therein a trophy of her victory.

University of Chicago

A team of five people was formed on September 1998, including Matsuno and the principal persons in charge of graphics and decorations, to realize the game's setting.

Wikipedia

Written consent to participate in the study was given by the principal persons with parental responsibility.

Clinical Epigenetics

Usually, the document granting power of attorney must identify the principal (the person who is granting the power), identify the agent (the person who will have the specified powers); and, specify exactly what legal acts the agent is entitled to perform.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal person", ensure the context clearly defines the area in which the person holds the primary role. For instance, specify "the principal person in charge of marketing" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal", meaning main or most important, with "principle", which refers to a fundamental truth or belief. Use "principal person" to refer to a specific individual, not a guiding ideal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal person" functions as a noun phrase, where "principal" modifies the noun "person". It designates the individual holding the primary or most important position within a given context. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal person" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that identifies the most important individual in a given situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. It finds applications across various domains, including news, academia, and general writing, with a tendency towards neutral to formal contexts. Alternatives like "key person" or "main individual" can be used for variety, but users should be mindful of the potential confusion with the word "principle". Ultimately, understanding the nuance behind "principal person" ensures its effective and appropriate deployment in diverse communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary person

Replaces "principal" with "primary", stressing the person's fundamental importance.

main individual

Replaces "principal" with "main", emphasizing primary importance.

key person

Uses "key" to highlight the person's importance or essential role.

leading figure

Focuses on the person's role as a leader or prominent individual.

chief individual

Substitutes "principal" with "chief", indicating the highest rank or authority.

central figure

Highlights the person's role as the center of attention or activity.

foremost individual

Uses "foremost" to suggest the person is the most important or respected.

mainstay

Emphasizes the person's role as a reliable and essential support.

core member

Focuses on the person's integral role within a group or team.

head person

Indicates the person in charge or at the top of a hierarchy.

FAQs

How can I use "principal person" in a sentence?

You can use "principal person" to refer to the main or most important individual in a specific situation. For example: "She is the "principal person" responsible for this project."

What are some alternatives to "principal person"?

Alternatives to "principal person" include "key person", "main individual", or "leading figure", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "principal" as an adjective before "person"?

Yes, "principal" is correctly used as an adjective in the phrase "principal person" to describe the person's primary or most important role.

What's the difference between "principal person" and "personnel"?

"Principal person" refers to a specific individual holding a primary role, whereas "personnel" refers to a group of people employed in an organization or performing a specific function. They are not interchangeable.