Proofreading tip: stationery vs stationary

Do you ever forget which you should use? No matter how excellent our writing skills and how high our professional level, we sometimes forget the difference between such common words. It can be a bit embarrassing to make such an error in a professional email or document.

Here’s how to remember the difference.

First, the meanings:
Stationery means office supplies (pens, paper, etc.)
Stationary means immobile, or standing still.

So, to never forget again, use this mnemonic:
Stationery. Think ‘pen’.
Stationary. Think ‘stand’.

The ‘e’ in pen reminds you to use ‘stationery’ with an ‘e’ when you’re talking about pens, paper and other office stationery.
The ‘a’ in stand reminds you to use ‘stationary’ with an ‘a’ when you’re talking about something standing still.

So:
Our office is out of stationery (not stationary).
The car is stationary (not stationery).

Simple.
stationery = pen
stationary = stand

#proofreading #hummingbirdwriting #businesswriting