Stationary and stationery sound the same and differ by one letter. Stationary with an a means not moving: a stationary car, a stationary bike. Stationery with an e means writing materials: paper, pens, envelopes and notebooks.
The spelling test is simple. Stationery has the letter e, like envelope. Stationary has the letter a, like at rest.
This page gives both meanings, eight examples and 15 questions. Every answer asks whether the sentence describes movement or writing materials.
What each word means
stationary
stationary (adjective): not moving, standing still. Ends with -ary. "The car was stationary at the lights."
stationery
stationery (noun, uncountable): paper, envelopes, pens and other writing materials. Ends with -ery. "The office needs new stationery."
The rule
Stationary means not moving
- It describes a person, a vehicle or an object that is still: a stationary bus, a stationary front in weather.
- It often follows remain, stay, keep or stand: "The train remained stationary for ten minutes."
- A stationary bike is an exercise bike that stays in one place.
- The word answers the question is it moving? and the answer is no.
Stationery means writing materials
- It is an uncountable noun: some stationery, a piece of stationery. There is no stationeries.
- It covers paper, envelopes, notepads, pens, pencils and similar office supplies.
- It often follows buy, order, supply and need: "We ordered new stationery for the office."
- A stationery shop or a stationery cupboard holds the materials, and the words keep the e spelling.
The e for envelope test
- Stationery has an e, as in envelope. Envelopes are stationery.
- Stationary has an a, as in at rest. Something stationary is not moving.
- If the sentence has paper, ink or a shop, use stationery with e.
- If the sentence has traffic, wheels or a pose, use stationary with a.
Traps in everyday writing
- The bus was stationary, not stationery: the bus is not paper.
- Office stationery is running low, not office stationary: the noun keeps the e.
- Do not write stationeries. The noun is uncountable and stays singular.
- The words sound identical in most accents, so only the context and the spelling tell them apart.
How to remember
The trick: Stationery has e for envelope. Stationary has a for at rest, so it means not moving.
Examples
- The car remained stationary at the red light.The car was not moving, so the -ary spelling is correct.
- I need to buy stationery for school.Paper and pens are stationery, with the -ery spelling.
- He rides a stationary bike at the gym.The bike stays in one place, so stationary is correct.
- The stationery shop is next to the bank.A shop selling paper and pens uses the e spelling.
- The traffic was stationary for an hour.The cars were not moving.
- She keeps her stationery in a wooden box.The box holds writing materials.
- Prices remained stationary last month.Stationary can describe prices that do not move.
- We ordered new stationery for the office.Office supplies take the -ery spelling.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: The bus stayed stationery. Right: The bus stayed stationary.
- The bus was not moving, so the adjective with a is correct.
- Wrong: I bought some stationary. Right: I bought some stationery.
- Paper and pens are stationery with e.
- Wrong: He exercises on a stationery bike. Right: He exercises on a stationary bike.
- The bike does not move, so stationary with a is needed.
- Wrong: Office stationary is running low. Right: Office stationery is running low.
- Writing materials are stationery with e.
- Wrong: The train was stationery for ten minutes. Right: The train was stationary for ten minutes.
- The train was not moving, so the -ary spelling is correct.
Practice drill
Answer all 15 questions. Each answer is marked at once, and the rule is explained under the question.
The car remained ___ at the red light.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. stationary The car was not moving, so the -ary spelling is correct.
I need to buy ___ for school.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. stationery Paper and pens are stationery with the -ery spelling.
He rides a ___ bike at the gym.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. stationary The bike does not move, so the -ary adjective is correct.
The ___ shop is next to the bank.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. stationery A shop selling writing materials uses the e spelling.
The traffic was ___ for an hour.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. stationary The cars were not moving, so the -ary spelling is needed.
She keeps her ___ in a wooden box.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. stationery The box holds writing materials, so stationery with e is correct.
Prices remained ___ last month.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. stationary Prices that do not change are stationary, with a.
We ordered new ___ for the office.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. stationery Office supplies are stationery with the e spelling.
The bus was ___ because of the roadworks.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. stationary The bus was not moving, so stationary with a is correct.
A letter needs paper, an envelope and other ___.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. stationery Writing materials are stationery with e.
The lift was ___ between two floors.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. stationary The lift was not moving, so the adjective with a is needed.
The office cupboard is full of ___.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. stationery A cupboard of writing materials holds stationery with e.
Keep your legs ___ during the exercise.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. stationary The legs should not move, so stationary with a is correct.
He works in a ___ factory.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. stationery A factory that makes paper and pens is a stationery factory with e.
The satellite appears ___ from Earth.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. stationary The satellite seems not to move, so stationary with a is correct.
Questions learners ask
Is stationery countable?
No, stationery is uncountable, like furniture and equipment. Say some stationery, a piece of stationery or an item of stationery. Do not write stationeries.
What counts as stationery?
Paper, envelopes, notepads, pens, pencils, folders and similar items for writing or office work. Furniture and electronics are not stationery.
How can I remember the e spelling?
Think e for envelope. Envelopes are stationery, so the noun has an e. For the other word, think a for at rest: something stationary stays at rest and does not move.
More confusing words
Complement vs compliment
Complement with an e means to complete or go well with something. Compliment with an i is the praise you give or receive.
Sight, site or cite
Sight is about seeing, site is a place or a website, and cite means to quote a source.
Remember vs remind
Remember is memory that stays in your own head. Remind means to make someone else remember, so it needs a person after the verb.
Browse all the confusing word pairs or take the free A1 to C2 level test to find your starting point.