Fill in the blanks in the sentence below with the correct words from the frequently confused pair 'principal' and 'principle' to ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.
Answer:As the 【principal】 investigator of the deep-sea research expedition, Dr. Vance adhered to the strict 【principle】 of ecological preservation, refusing to disturb the delicate hydrothermal vent systems.
Answer
The first blank should be filled with 'principal' (meaning chief or primary), and the second blank should be filled with 'principle' (meaning a fundamental rule or tenet).
In the given context, 'principal' functions as an adjective meaning 'most important, consequential, or influential' (modifying 'investigator'). Meanwhile, 'principle' functions as a noun meaning 'a basic truth, law, or assumption' (referring to the rule of ecological preservation).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Frequently Confused Words: Principal vs. Principle