Many English learners often confuse stationary and stationery because they sound the same. But their meanings are completely different! In this short and simple lesson, you’ll learn the difference, uses, and examples to help you never mix them again.
You can explore our 100 confusing words list to expand your vocabulary skills!
Meanings of Stationary and Stationery
Stationary
Stationary means something that does not move or stays still.
Examples:
- The train was stationary for ten minutes.
- He stood stationary while the others ran
Tip to Remember:
Think of stationary with ‘a’ — meaning at rest (not moving).
Stationery
Stationery refers to writing or office materials like paper, notebooks, envelopes, pens, and pencils.
Examples:
- I keep all my stationery in a drawer.
- The shop sells beautiful stationery items.
Tip to Remember:
Stationery with ‘e’ means envelope — both used for writing.
Usage of Stationary
1. Used for something that is not moving
- The car stayed stationary at the traffic light.
- The train was stationary for five minutes.
2. Used for people or objects that remain in one place
- The guard stood stationary at the gate.
- The windmill was stationary due to no wind.
3. Used in science or technical contexts
- The object remained stationary during the experiment.
- The planets are never completely stationary.
4. Used for exercise or equipment that doesn’t move
- I ride a stationary bike every morning.
A stationary treadmill is used in the gym.
Usage of Stationery
1. Used for writing materials
- I bought new stationery for school.
- The shop sells colourful stationery.
2. Used for office or business supplies
- Our company ordered branded stationery.
- The manager checked the stationery stock.
3. Used for letter writing or cards
- I wrote a note on fancy stationery.
- She gifted me beautiful stationery paper.
4. Used for student study items
- Students received free stationery.
- My stationery bag has pens and pencils.
Difference Between Stationary and Stationery
| Word | Meaning | Use In Sentence | Easy Memory Trick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | Not moving or fixed | The bus stayed stationary at the stop. | A → At rest |
| Stationery | Writing materials | I bought new stationery for school. | E → Envelope |
Formal and Informal Uses
Formal Uses:
- The vehicle remained stationary for safety reasons.
- The office ordered branded stationery for employees.
Informal Uses:
- My car was stationary because it broke down.
- I love cute stationery like pens and stickers.
Example Sentences of Stationary
- The bus was stationary due to traffic.
- He kept his body stationary during the exercise.
- The boat stayed stationary in the calm water.
- The police car was stationary at the corner.
- The ball remained stationary on the grass.
- Please keep the camera stationary while filming.
- The windmill blades were stationary.
- The truck was stationary at the red light.
- The elevator stayed stationary between floors.
- My dog stood stationary when he saw a cat.
- The fan was stationary because of a power cut.
- The line of people was stationary for a while.
- His hands were stationary, showing no reaction.
- The soldiers stood stationary in a straight line.
- The car remained stationary after the crash.
- Don’t move—stay stationary!
- The wheel must stay stationary before repair.
- The object looks stationary but is actually moving slowly.
- She sat stationary, lost in thought.
- The plane was stationary before takeoff.
Example Sentences of Stationery
- I bought new stationery for school.
- The shop sells colourful stationery items.
- She gifted me fancy stationery.
- I wrote a letter on beautiful stationery.
- Our teacher distributed free stationery.
- The office ordered branded stationery.
- We packed pens and notebooks in the stationery box.
- I love collecting cute stationery.
- My desk is full of stationery supplies.
- Please return my stationery after using it.
- The stationery shop is near the school.
- He keeps all his stationery in a pouch.
- I found my lost stationery under the table.
- They gave free stationery to poor students.
- Her handwriting looks neat on this stationery.
- I need some stationery for my art project.
- The company printed its logo on the stationery.
- We are running out of stationery in the office.
- My favourite stationery item is a fountain pen.
- I bought a box of stationery as a gift.
FAQs on Stationery vs Stationary
What is the main difference between stationary and stationery?
Stationary means not moving, while stationery means writing materials.
How can I remember the difference easily?
Remember stationary with “A” for At rest and stationery with “E” for Envelope.
Can stationary be used for people?
Yes, for example: He stood stationary during the performance.
What are examples of stationery?
Pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, envelopes, erasers, and rulers are all stationery.
Why do people confuse stationary and stationery?
Because they sound the same (homophones), but their spellings and meanings are different.
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