Stationery or Stationary?

Posted by: Josef Essberger

A stationer sells stationery (writing paper, envelopes and other office materials). You’ll find some envelopes in the stationery cupboard. Stationary is an adjective meaning “not moving”. The car hit a stationary bus.

A stationer sells stationery (writing paper, envelopes and other office materials).

• You’ll find some envelopes in the stationery cupboard.

Stationary is an adjective meaning “not moving”.

• The car hit a stationary bus.

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Posted by Josef Essberger December 2007
Contributor: Josef Essberger, founder of EnglishClub. Originally from London, England, Josef is the author of several books for learners of English including English Prepositions List and Learn English in 7.

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7 comments

• shazia says:
  

  Thanks, It is very good and useful.

• english says:
  

  Thanks redrdr. That’s a great way to remember it.

• redrdr says:
  

  The way I was taught to keep these straight is stationery has an ER just like papER.

• Hung says:
  

  Thanks, english. That is what I meant.

• english says:
  

  > do English say stationary mall?

  If you mean a mall that is not moving, yes, we could say “stationary mall”. But almost by definition malls are stationary, so it is highly unlikely that we would use this expression.

  A “stationery mall” is very feasible: a mall where stationery is sold; a mall full of stationers.

• english says:
  

  This would make more sense:

  A stationary lorry loading up stationery is parked in front of the stationery mall.

• Hung says:
  

  Interesting! A stationary lorry loaded up stationary is parking in front of a stationary mall.
  P/s: do English say stationary mall?
  thanks

  Hung