Question

stationary
sta-tion-ar-y stey-shuh-ner-ee
middle english; from latin stationarius, from statio
adjective

1. standing still; not moving
2. having a fixed position

stationery
sta-tion-er-y stey-shuh-ner-ee
middle english; from latin constans
noun

1. writing paper
2. writing materials, pens, pencils, paper

which sentence uses stationery correctly?

• the car remained stationery with the engine running.
• triathletes often train using stationery bicycles.
• i received a gift set of personalized stationery.
• the doctor said grandpas condition was stationery.

Explanation:

Analyze the definitions of the homophones

• stationary (adjective): standing still; not moving; having a fixed position.
• stationery (noun): writing paper; writing materials, pens, pencils, paper.

Evaluate the usage in each option

• Option 1: "The car remained stationery..." requires the adjective meaning "not moving" (\(

ightarrow\) should be stationary).

• Option 2: "...using stationery bicycles" requires the adjective meaning "fixed position" (\(

ightarrow\) should be stationary).

• Option 3: "...gift set of personalized stationery" requires the noun meaning "writing paper/materials" (\(

ightarrow\) stationery is correct).

• Option 4: "...condition was stationery" requires the adjective meaning "not changing/fixed" (\(

ightarrow\) should be stationary).

Identify the correct sentence

• Only the third sentence uses the word stationery correctly to refer to writing materials.

Answer:

• The car remained stationery with the engine running.
• Triathletes often train using stationery bicycles.
• I received a gift set of personalized stationery. (Correct answer)
• The doctor said Grandpa's condition was stationery.