From Merriam-Websters:
sta·tion·ary adj \ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē\
1: fixed in a station, course, or mode: IMMOBILE
2: unchanging in condition
sta·tio·nery noun \ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē\
1: materials (as paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing
2: letter paper usually accompanied with matching envelopes
As spelling bee coordinator for our homeschool association, I spent a good chunk of today reviewing our word lists, checking for unmarked homonyms or other confusing words. I was shocked to find out there are two different spellings for these words. I told Marc about it at dinner and he had no idea either, and I consider him a pretty good speller. Even Anna, our super-speller and three-time spelling bee winner, didn't know.
I've learned my something new for the day.
What word do you commonly misspell?
Kellie,
ReplyDeleteA little trick I use to remember the difference between the two:
a trAin is stationAry
and
lEtters are written on stationEry
Blessings,
Karen H
I am a terrible speller. I constantly ask Michael to spell words for me while I am writing. Most problematic word, however, is regularly. I'm questioning if that is correct even though spell check says it is.
ReplyDeleteWe considered starting a spelling bee for our group this year but decided on a science fair instead. We may start the spelling bee next year. I may have to pick your brain. Oh...there's another one. I constantly spell Brian, Brain. lol :)
Karen, thanks for the tip. I don't think I'll have any problem remembering now, since I'm so embarrassed for never noticing the difference. But I will use your tip for my children. : )
ReplyDeleteDawn, I do the same thing with Brian! That's the name of our swim team coach and I have to correct myself EVERY time I send him an email. I think it's more of a typing thing than a spelling thing though.
Now that we are studying Ancient Egypt, I have come to realize that I often write "p-h-a-r-o-a-h" rather than "pharaoh"!!!!
ReplyDeletehmmmm :o)
adorable blog btw!
I did know about stationery and stationary; however, I learned something new this week. It is not lightening, but lightning (as in a lightning bolt).
ReplyDeleteCorrect way: "The lightning was lightening up the sky."
Not, "The lightening was lightening up the sky."
All these years....I never knew. : )
I've always stumbled with that one too. Recently I worked out that
ReplyDeletestAtionEry involves
pApEr
That is my best mnemonic for that one.