STATIONERY vs. STATIONARY

Mnemonic Device

  • stationAry is pArked cArs, stationEry is Envelopes and pEns.

Variations

  • StationAry - StAnd still
  • StationEry - PEns, PEncils
  • Remember the middle letters of "car" and "pen," to know which, stationary or stationery, is correct.

Explanation

This is a mnemonic to help you distinguish STATIONERY (paper, envelopes, pens) from STATIONARY (not moving). Both words match the middle letters of a related example: stationAry has an A, like a pArked cAr; stationEry has an E, like an Envelope or pEn.