Stationary or Stationery?

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Stationary or Stationery?

What is the difference between "stationary" and "stationery"?
  • "Stationary" means "not moving."
  • "Stationery" is writing or office supplies (e.g., paper, pens).
stationary or stationery?
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More about "Stationary" and "Stationery"

The words "stationary" and "stationery" sound almost identical, but they are very different in meaning.

Stationary

The word "stationary" means "not moving" or "still." (It can be used as an adjective or an adverb.)

Examples:
  • We had to wait patiently in a stationary position for the school shop to open.
    • ("Stationary" is an adjective in this example.)
  • We had to wait stationary for the school shop to open.
    • ("Stationary" is an adverb in this example.)
  • The hostages were ordered to remain stationary.

Stationery

The word "stationery" (with an "e") means writing and office supplies (e.g., writing paper, envelopes, pens). (It can be used as an adjective or a noun.)

Examples:
  • The office junior is in charge of ordering our stationery.
    • ("Stationery" is a noun in this example.)
  • The office junior is in charge of filling the stationery cupboard.
    • ("Stationery" is an adjective in this example.)
  • Save 50% on all office stationery.

Stationery is the Culprit

The most common error associated with this pairing is writing "stationary" instead of "stationery." It is rare to see it the other way round.

This error occurs because many are not aware that the word "stationery" exists.

E is for Envelope

Let the "e" in "stationery" remind you of "envelope."
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are adjectives? What are adverbs? What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words