Stalk vs. Stock and Stalking vs. Stocking (Grammar Rules)

Originally, I thought this would be a simple post of showing the difference between the homophones stalk and stock. And as I looked at the meanings of stalk that still held true. But stock contains a grand canyon of meanings, and it even inspired a near-future blog post of its own on homographs.

(Homonym vs. Homophone vs. Homograph.)

Plus, it became evident that I should also break out the differences between stalking and stocking, which also isn't something I normally do. So let's peel back each layer of these terms to ensure we're correctly using them when we write.

Stalk can be used as a noun or verb. As a noun, it refers to the supporting or connecting part of something, usually a plant (often as a stem). As a verb, stalk means to pursue prey stealthily. Often, this is used in hunting terms, but it's become very popular with social media as well for people who follow others quietly on those platforms (not always a bad thing). But it does have a negative connotation for people who do this with nefarious intent.

(How to Stalk Publishing Professionals on Social Media in an Appropriate Way.)

Stock, on the other hand, has so many possible meanings and can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. So let's start with all the noun meanings first. 

As a noun, stock can refer to the supporting framework or structure—for instance, the butt of an implement, like a rifle or fishing pole, or the timbers holding a ship in place during construction. Stock can also refer to the main stem of a plant, the crosspiece of an anchor, and/or the liquid used as the basis of a soup, gravy, or stew. Stock can also refer to the descendants of one ancestor and/or family, but it can also refer to animals and—believe it or not—languages that share a common family. As a noun, stock can also refer to an accumulation of goods and/or animals used for business. Stock can be a transferable document that shows ownership in a company and/or refer to a fund or debt due. Stock also refers to an estimation of something (think "taking stock of a situation") and/or what is on hand and available (think "in stock" and "out of stock"). Whew!

As an adjective, stock describes animals kept for breeding purposes, products that are kept regularly on hand and/or are produced in standard sizes, and/or related to the handling, checking, or taking care of merchandise on hand. As an aside, a stock car actually has two meanings itself: first, it is the type of railroad boxcar used to transport livestock; second, it describes a race car that has the same basic chassis as other race cars in a racing series (think NASCAR racing).

Stock has a few meanings as a verb too. First, it's the action of making a domestic animal pregnant (for instance, cows and horses). Second, it's the action of fitting someone or something to or with a stock. Third, the action of providing with stock or a stock (think of how someone may "stock a pond with fish"). Fourth, it's action of grazing livestock on land. Finally (maybe, because there are so many definitions), stock refers to the action of putting products on display for sale (think of how a person might "stock the shelves" at a local business).

I know that's a lot (at least more than I originally anticipated), but does it make sense?

Stalking and stocking are both actions (kind of). Stalking refers to following someone or something stealthily. Stocking could be talking about putting products on shelves, providing or grazing livestock, or affixing someone or something to or with a stock. Or, of course, it's referring to a close-fitting covering for your foot and leg.

Correct: They ate the corn for dinner and used the stalk as a fall decoration.
Incorrect: They ate the corn for dinner and used the stock as a fall decoration.
Incorrect: They ate the corn for dinner and used the stalking as a fall decoration.
Incorrect: They ate the corn for dinner and used the stocking as a fall decoration.

Correct: He wanted to buy toilet paper, but the store ran out of stock.
Incorrect: He wanted to buy toilet paper, but the store ran out of stalk.
Incorrect: He wanted to buy toilet paper, but the store ran out of stalking.
Incorrect: He wanted to buy toilet paper, but the store ran out of stocking.

Correct: She admits to stalking celebrities online.
Incorrect: She admits to stalk celebrities online.
Incorrect: She admits to stock celebrities online.
Incorrect (most likely): She admits to stocking celebrities online.

Correct: Their grocery store started stocking the new cereal they liked.
Incorrect: Their grocery store started stalk the new cereal they liked.
Incorrect: Their grocery store started stock the new cereal they liked.
Incorrect (hopefully): Their grocery store started stalking the new cereal they liked.

Tricks for remembering this one seem pointed at knowing the meanings for stalk and then applying (so many) other meanings to stock. So just remember that stalk either refers to the action of pursuing someone or something stealthily, or it's the connecting part of something (like a corn stalk). The many other uses are likely stocked under the stock umbrella.

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No matter what type of writing you do, mastering the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics is an important first step to having a successful writing career.

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