How to distinguish Stationary and Stationery in English

Stationery and Stationary are two words that are often confused in terms of meaning and usage. In today's article, PREP will explain all the relevant knowledge about Stationary and Stationery, so let's read to accurately distinguish between these two words!

I. What is Stationary?

Before distinguishing between Stationary and Stationery, let's learn what Stationary means and take note of some synonyms for Stationary with PREP!

1. Definition

What is Stationary? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Stationary is pronounced /ˈsteɪ.ʃə.ner.i/. In a sentence, Stationary is an adjective, Stationary means: not moving, or not changing. For example:

• The car got slower and slower until it was stationary. 
• House prices have been stationary for weeks. 

2. Synonyms of Stationary

Let’s explore the list of synonyms of Stationary with illustrative examples below!

II. What is Stationery?

What is stationery? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Stationery is pronounced /ˈsteɪ.ʃə.ner.i/. As a noun in a sentence, Stationery refers to: the things needed for writing, such as paper, pens, pencils, and envelopes. For example:

• I got these folders at the stationery store. 
• The company realized it was spending too much on stationery. 

III. Differences of Stationary vs Stationery

We have explored general information about Stationary and Stationery. So what characteristics do Stationary and Stationery differ? Let's take a look at the table below!

In summary, Stationary and Stationery are homophones but have completely different meanings. To better distinguish these two words, you need to consider the context and situation.

IV. Exercises on Stationary and Stationery with answers

To better understand the proper usage and accurately distinguish between Stationary and Stationery, let's complete the exercises below!

1. Exercises

Choose Stationary or Stationery to complete the sentences:

1. The new employee received a welcome kit with branded_______like business cards and letterheads.
2. The car remained_______ at the red traffic light.
3. The factory conveyor belt was_______ due to a mechanical failure.
4. The patient's condition was stable, and his vital signs were_______.
5. I need to buy some_______ before the school year starts, including notebooks and pens
6. The train came to a stop and remained_______ at the platform while passengers disembarked.
7. During the meditation session, participants were instructed to keep their bodies_______ to maintain focus.
8. The office manager ordered new_______, including personalized letterheads and business cards for the team.
9. The school supply store offers a wide variety of_______ items, such as notebooks, pens, and folders.
10. The weather balloon hovered_______ in the sky, collecting atmospheric data.
11. The office supplies, including pens, paper, and envelopes, are kept in the __________ cabinet.
12. The car remained __________ at the red light for two minutes.
13. I need to buy some new __________ to use for my thank-you notes.
14. The astronaut's spacecraft was perfectly __________ in outer space.
15. The __________ you use can make your letters and documents look more professional.

2. Answer

1. stationery
2. stationary
3. stationary
4. stationary
5. stationery
6. stationary
7. stationary
8. stationery
9. stationery
10. stationary
11. stationery
12. stationary
13. stationery
14. stationary
15. stationery

V. Master IELTS Skills for a High Band Score

PREP hopes through learning about these concepts with helpful explanations, you now can grasp the differences between Stationary and Stationery. If you’re in a hurry, PREP’s fast-track course will get you ready in record time 

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