Stationary vs. Stationery

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Understanding the difference between commonly confused words will help you avoid making errors in English usage. Let’s examine the difference between the following:

stationary

Stationary is an adjective meaning standing still, fixed in place, or not moving.

Timothy was embarrassed to have collided with a stationary, parked vehicle while driving in broad daylight.
This woman is riding a stationary bike: she pedals, but the bike doesn’t move.

stationery

Stationery is a noun referring to writing paper and office materials, especially paper with matching envelopes.

Jacqueline was pleased with her husband’s gift to her of stationery with her initials monogrammed on it.
Matching cupcake-themed stationery, with paper, envelopes and stickers.

☛ Here’s a trick to help you remember how to spell these words correctly. The word stationary contains an a like the terms standing in place or static, which describe what stationary means. The word stationery (meaning writing materials), contains the letters er, as do letter and paper.

Remember, a car is never “stationery” unless it’s made out of writing paper!

Photo credits:

Photo 1: Photo by James Maloney on Flickr CC BY-2.0

Photo 2: Photo by Jelene Morris on Flickr CC BY-2.0