Confusable pair · B2
Stationary or stationery?
Stationary with an a means not moving. Stationery with an e means paper, envelopes and pens. The standard memory hook is that stationery contains an e, as in envelope. Everything else about the two words is identical, including the pronunciation.
Which word, and why
- stationary
not moving (a for "at rest")
Standing still.
a stationary vehicle · remain stationary · stationary traffic
- stationery
writing materials (e for "envelope")
Paper, envelopes and other writing supplies.
office stationery · headed stationery · the stationery cupboard
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The lorry hit a vehicle on the hard shoulder.
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