stationary vs stationery
Stationary, spelled with an a, means not moving. Stationery, spelled with an e, means paper and writing materials. A stationary car is parked; stationery is what you write on.
The difference
- stationary (adjective) — not moving; fixed in place
- stationery (noun) — writing paper and related materials
Examples
- The traffic was stationary for an hour.
- She ordered new office stationery.
How to remember
StationERy = papER and Envelopes; stationARy = standing still, like a pARked cAR.
The common trap
Buying 'stationary' from a shop — the products are stationery.
Stationary or stationery: movement versus materials
Stationary describes something that is not moving or not changing. A vehicle can be stationary, and a rate can remain stationary over time. Stationery is the collective noun for writing and office materials such as paper, envelopes, pens and folders.
The spelling clue is useful because the words have different endings but the same pronunciation. Stationery contains e, like envelope. Stationary contains a, like at rest. Do not rely only on sound; decide whether the sentence means not moving or writing materials.
Stationery is normally treated as an uncountable category in standard British English. Write 'some stationery', 'an item of stationery' or 'three stationery products', rather than using 'a stationery' for one object.
Forms and examples
- stationary: adjective: not moving
- The train remained stationary beside the platform.
- stationary: adjective: unchanged
- Demand stayed stationary during the quarter.
- stationery: uncountable noun: writing materials
- The office ordered recycled stationery.
Quick test
Keep the vehicle ___ while the equipment is loaded.
Check the answer
stationary. The sentence needs an adjective meaning not moving.
Please add envelopes to the next ___ order.
Check the answer
stationery. Envelopes are writing materials.
The rate remained ___ for three months.
Check the answer
stationary. The rate stayed unchanged; no writing materials are involved.
Related word distinctions
- affect vs effect: Affect is usually the verb (to influence); effect is usually the noun (the result).
- practise vs practice: In UK English, practise is the verb and practice is the noun.
Sources checked
These distinctions are exactly what Word Meaning and Contextual Word Choice questions test. Read the Word Meaning guide or Contextual Word Choice guide, then practise the drill.