Common mistakes
Stationery or stationary: spelling, meaning, and memory tips
Sign in to saveA pen shop sells stationery. A parked bicycle is stationary. The words sound alike, so the meaning has to guide the spelling.
Choose stationery for writing supplies and stationary for something that is not moving.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
stationery / stationary /ˈsteɪʃənəri/ /ˈsteɪʃənəri/
The short answer
Use stationery for writing materials. Use stationary when something stays in one place and does not move.
The office ordered stationery, while the delivery van remained stationary outside.
Why it works: Stationery names supplies. Stationary describes the van's lack of movement.
5 more examples
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Mina bought blue stationery for her handwritten invitations.
Stationery names the paper and related writing materials Mina bought.
Not this:Mina bought
blue stationaryfor her handwritten invitations. What changes: Stationary is an adjective for something not moving, so it cannot name the supplies in this sentence. -
The taxi stayed stationary until the pedestrians crossed the road.
Stationary describes the taxi while it is not moving.
Not this:The taxi
stayed stationeryuntil the pedestrians crossed the road. What changes: Stationery is a noun for writing supplies and does not describe the taxi's movement. -
Please put the spare envelopes with the stationery in the top drawer.
Envelopes belong with writing and office supplies.
Not this:Please put the spare envelopes with
the stationaryin the top drawer. What changes: The adjective stationary needs a noun to describe; it cannot stand for the supplies. -
Keep the camera stationary while you take the photograph.
Stationary means that the camera should remain still.
Not this:Keep the
camera stationerywhile you take the photograph. What changes: Stationery cannot describe how the camera is held because it refers to writing materials. -
The children used recycled stationery to make thank-you cards.
Stationery names paper and other materials used to write or make cards.
Not this:The children used
recycled stationaryto make thank-you cards. What changes: Stationary describes a state of no movement, not a collection of card-making materials.
Read the full guide
Ask what the word names or describes. If you mean paper, envelopes, pens, or similar supplies, write stationery. If you mean still or not moving, write stationary.
Stationery is for writing supplies
Stationery is a noun. It includes paper, envelopes, notebooks, pens, and similar materials used for writing or office work. It is usually uncountable, so say some stationery or a set of stationery rather than two stationeries.
The new teacher labelled the class stationery cupboard.
Stationary means not moving
Stationary is an adjective. Use it for a thing that stays in the same position. A car can be stationary in traffic, and a stationary object can be easier to photograph than a moving one.
Wait until the lift is stationary before you step out.
Choose by the word's job
After a determiner such as the, some, or this, stationery often names the supplies: this stationery, the stationery order. Before a noun, stationary usually describes it: a stationary vehicle, a stationary target. After be or stay, stationary also works as a description.
Noun: We need more stationery. Adjective: The train is stationary.
Use a memory clue carefully
Many learners remember the e in stationery by thinking of an envelope. That can help when the meaning is already clear. A clue is useful after you decide whether the sentence is about supplies or stillness.
The envelope is part of the stationery order.
Check the sentence before you write
You are describing a printer that is not moving on a desk. Which spelling fits?
Use stationary: The printer is stationary on the desk. The sentence describes the printer's position, not writing supplies.
Before you go
Remember this
Stationery is for writing materials. Stationary means not moving. Look for the noun or adjective job in the sentence, then choose the spelling that matches it.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Stationery or stationary: spelling, meaning, and memory tips"
What is the difference between stationery and stationary?
Stationery is the noun for paper, envelopes, pens, and other writing supplies. Stationary is an adjective meaning not moving, as when a taxi stays still while people cross the road.
Mina bought blue stationery for her handwritten invitations.
Is stationery countable or uncountable?
Stationery is usually uncountable. Say some stationery, a set of stationery, or stationery supplies. You can count individual items such as pens, notebooks, and envelopes.
Mina bought blue stationary for her handwritten invitations.
Can stationary be used after a verb?
Yes. Stationary can follow be, stay, or remain when it describes a position. For example, a camera can remain stationary while someone takes a photograph.
The taxi stayed stationary until the pedestrians crossed the road.
How can I remember the spelling of stationery?
You can connect the e in stationery with envelope. Then check that the sentence concerns writing materials, such as the envelopes kept in a stationery drawer.
The taxi stayed stationery until the pedestrians crossed the road.
Do stationery and stationary sound the same?
They normally have the same pronunciation in standard British English. Because speech does not separate them, use the meaning: writing supplies take stationery, while an object that does not move is stationary.
Please put the spare envelopes with the stationery in the top drawer.