The big guy with the ruler

Principal—the main thing. Often used of the owners of a company, or the chief administrator of a school, but it can apply to inanimate things, too. The principal reason we took a break was that we were tired.

Principle—a rule. Note that “rule” and “principle” both end in “-le.” He tells the truth as a matter of principle.

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Enormous—very big. Compared to a flea, an elephant is enormous.

Enormity—very bad, especially in violation of morals. The enormity of child abuse is comparable to the enormity of spousal abuse.

Don’t use “enormity” when you are talking about size! “Enormity” is a noun, “enormous” is an adjective. If you need a fancy noun for “enormous,” use “immensity.” (If you need a fancy adjective for “enormity,” use “egregious.”)

A lot of people get these wrong. Be sure you say what you mean.

Uninterested—you don’t care. I’m uninterested in your tale of woe.

Disinterested—you don’t have a stake in the outcome. We need a disinterested person to decide our dispute.

(Dichotomy—a thing with two clearly different parts. Take it or leave it. )

In response to my tweet:
There—a place. Put the book over there.
Their—someone’s. Their book is over there.
They’re—contraction of “they are.” They’re telling me that their book is over there.

If you have trouble remembering which is which, jot down that last sentence and post it where you can see it when you write.