The verb has an ‘s’ before the ‘e’. The noun has a ‘c’ before the ‘e’. 

## Avoiding confusion 

Other words that are often confused are ‘council’ and ‘counsel’, ‘compliment’ and ‘complement‘, ‘principle’ and ‘principal’ and ‘stationery’ and ‘stationary’. 

## Council/counsel 

1. A council ( noun ) is an administrative group which has power to make decisions. 

A councillor ( noun ) sits on a council ( noun ). 

2. To counsel ( verb ) someone is to help them by listening to them and giving them advice. 

A counsellor ( noun ) counsels ( verb ) clients. 

## Compliment/complement 

1. A compliment ( noun ) is an expression of praise. 

‘He paid me a compliment today.’ 

2. To complement ( verb ) means to complete the whole. 

‘Your scarf complements that dress beautifully.’ 

## Principal/principle 

1. A principal ( noun ) is the head of a college. 

‘The Principal was very pleased with the students’ work.’ 

2. Principal can also be an adjective meaning main or chief. 

‘The principal ( adjective ) boy in the pantomime was played by Joan.’ 

3. A principle ( noun ) is a standard you maintain. 

‘In spite of difficulties, she always kept to her principles ( noun ).’ 

