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'Stationary' means not moving; 'stationery' refers to writing materials like paper and envelopes.
Side-by-side comparison
"Stationary" (with 'a') is the adjective meaning not moving or not intended to move. "A stationary vehicle" = a vehicle that is not moving. Tip: 'a' for adjective.
The car remained stationary for over an hour in the traffic jam.
A stationary bike gives you a cardio workout without leaving home.
Prices have been stationary for the past three months.
"Stationery" (with 'e') is writing materials: paper, envelopes, pens, cards. "A stationery shop" = a shop selling writing supplies. Tip: 'e' for envelopes.
The company ordered new stationery with the updated logo.
She wrote the thank-you note on elegant cream stationery.
The office supply shop sells stationery on the ground floor.
Common mistake
- •"She bought some stationary" when referring to paper, envelopes, and writing materials is wrong (correct: stationery).
- •And "The car is stationery" when meaning it is not moving is wrong (correct: stationary).
Trick to remember it
- •"StationEry" has an E like pEn and pEncil, all writing-related words.
- •"StationAry" has an A like stAnd still or stAy in place.
Quick rule
- •E for writing materials (like envelopes).
- •A for staying in place (like standing still).
Did you know?
Both words share the same historical origin, which explains why they look so similar. In the Middle Ages, "stationers" were sellers who held a fixed ("stationary") position at university markets, unlike itinerant traders who traveled from town to town. They sold books and writing materials. Over time, "stationer" came to mean a seller of writing materials, and "stationery" the set of products they sold. "Stationary," meanwhile, kept its original meaning of "remaining in a fixed place." Two words, same origin, separated by a single letter change.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The car was completely _____ . It hadn't moved in hours.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She went to the shop to buy some _____ — pens, paper, and envelopes.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy