stationary or stationery

stationary or stationery 

In this lesson, we're going to look at memory tricks to remember which stationery/stationary is which. These memory tricks are used by many good spellers to help them to remember which word to use.

Look at these sentences. Which stationary/stationery is correct?

1. The traffic got slower and slower until it was stationary/stationery.
2. I got these folders at the stationery/stationary shop/store.

stationary and stationery are homophones which mean they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. In this case the spelling difference is one letter, which causes all sorts of problems for people remembering which statione/ary is which - even good spellers need a helping hand.

Answers
1. The traffic got slower and slower until it was stationary.
2. I got these folders at the stationery shop/store.

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So a great memory trick is relating the 'e' to the meaning in stationery. So stationery means writing and other office materials = envelopes, pens, paper, so see the 'e' in envelope and pens and use that to signal the meaning of stationery

Here are some sentences from the Oxford Dictionary online
And as well as designer stationery there is a range of highly affordable invitation and thank-you card sets available ready to buy.
They can claim for such things as staff wages, office space, stationery, travel costs and accommodation.
The office stationery cupboard is like a sweet shop / candy store (American English).

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stationary is an adjective meaning to stop, not moving, not able to move, standing still - a stationary train, stationary cars, everything was stationary.
See the 'a' in cars standing still.
A stationary train in the station.

Here are some sentences from the Oxford Dictionary online
A car collided with a stationary vehicle.
For those new to biceps training, your elbows should remain stationary while your hands move upward toward the shoulders.
The whole place was stationary with nothing moving at all.

Exercise

Which stationary/stationary do we use in these sentences?
Use whatever memory trick helps you.


1. The rate of inflation has been __________ for several months.

2. The doctor said his condition was __________.

3. She designed handmade wedding _________.

4. He rammed into a ___________ vehicle at the side of the road.

5. Full support, training and __________ products are available.

6. The parking lot at the local office furnishings and __________ company in Beach Road was flooded.

Answers below

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Answers


1. The rate of inflation has been stationary for several months.
2. The doctor said his condition was stationary
3. She designed handmade wedding stationery
4. He rammed into a stationary vehicle at the side of the road.
5. Full support, training and stationery products are available.
6. The parking lot at the local office furnishings and stationery company in Beach Road was flooded.

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