Key Difference

• Stationary (with an “a”) is an adjective that means “not moving” or “fixed in one place.”
• Stationery (with an “e”) is a noun that refers to writing materials, especially paper and envelopes.

Explanation and Examples

1. Stationary (Adjective)
   • Meaning: Describes something that is not moving or is still.
   • When to Use It: Use “stationary” when talking about objects, people, or situations that are motionless or stable.
   • Examples:
     • “The car remained stationary at the red light.”
     • “She rode a stationary bike at the gym.”
2. Stationery (Noun)
   • Meaning: Refers to paper, envelopes, pens, and other writing supplies.
   • When to Use It: Use “stationery” when you are talking about writing or office materials.
   • Examples:
     • “I bought some beautiful stationery for writing thank-you notes.”
     • “The store sells stationery such as notebooks and pens.”

A Handy Mnemonic to Remember

Think of the “e” in stationery as standing for envelope, a common piece of writing material. On the other hand, “a” in stationary can remind you of “at a standstill.”

Practice Time!

Try filling in the blanks with stationary or stationery:

1. “The bicycle remained __________ while she took a break.”
2. “He picked out colorful __________ for his letters.”
3. “Traffic was completely __________ due to an accident.”
4. “She decorated her desk with matching __________ supplies.”

Answers:

1. stationary
2. stationery
3. stationary
4. stationery