Stationary: Unmoving and Fixed in Place
Stationary is an adjective that describes something that is not in motion, firmly fixed in place, or immobile:
- Not Moving
Example: “The car remained stationary at the traffic signal.”
Describes something that is not moving or changing position.
- Fixed in Place
Example: “The artist drew a stationary model for hours.”
Indicates something fixed or immobile, often used in the context of objects or people.
- Unchanging State
Example: “The political situation seemed to be stationary for months.”
Refers to a state of not changing or remaining constant.
Stationery: Writing Materials and Supplies
Stationery, on the other hand, is a noun that refers to writing materials and supplies:
- Writing Materials
Example: “She bought a set of elegant stationery for her correspondence.”
Denotes materials like paper, pens, envelopes, and other items used for writing.
- Business Letterhead
Example: “The company designed new stationery for official communication.”
Can also refer to the official materials, including letterheads, used by a business.
- Artistic Design
Example: “The stationery store offered a wide range of creative designs.”
Indicates a variety of artistic and decorative writing materials.
Strategies for Differentiation
- Motion vs. Writing Materials
Recognize that “stationary” relates to something not in motion, while “stationery” refers to writing materials and supplies.
- Adjective vs. Noun
Use “stationary” as an adjective to describe a lack of movement and “stationery” as a noun when referring to writing materials.
