Attorneys or Attornies: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The correct spelling for legal professionals is attorneys. The word attornies is a frequent misspelling that should be avoided in formal writing and official documents. Understanding this distinction ensures your communication remains professional and accurate when referring to lawyers.
The Short Answer
People often confuse these words because the sounds are nearly identical, leading to accidental errors when typing legal terms quickly.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| attorneys | Correct | To refer to licensed legal representatives |
| attornies | Incorrect | Never, as this is a spelling error |
| noun | Correct | For the singular form attorney |
| noun | Incorrect | For the singular form attornies |
Correct Example Sentences
- The firm hired three new attorneys to handle the case.
- All attorneys must wear robes in the court of law.
- Our attorneys specialize in corporate litigation matters.
- The client signed documents with her attending attorneys.
- Experienced attorneys often guide complex business deals.
- Local attorneys are available for free consultation today.
- Senior attorneys reviewed the draft before submission.
- Several attorneys worked late into the night.
- The bar association regulates practicing attorneys strictly.
- Junior attorneys learn from their senior colleagues daily.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- We need to find attornies for this case.
- We need to find attorneys for this case.
- Attornies are waiting outside the courtroom.
- Attorneys are waiting outside the courtroom.
- Did you hire any attornies yet?
- Did you hire any attorneys yet?
- These attornies have excellent reviews online.
- These attorneys have excellent reviews online.
- The attornies filed their motions yesterday.
- The attorneys filed their motions yesterday.
- Please contact the best attornies in town.
- Please contact the best attorneys in town.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Use the word attorney whenever you need to describe a lawyer or legal representative, ensuring the ending matches the singular form of the profession.
Related Word Pairs
- council vs counsil
- council is correct; counsil is a misspelling.
- defense vs defance
- defense is correct; defance is a misspelling.
- fiancé vs fiance
- fiancé is correct; fiance is a misspelling.
- liter vs letter
- liter is correct; letter is a misspelling.
- marijuana vs marijunna
- marijuana is correct; marijunna is a misspelling.
- principal vs prinicipal
- principal is correct; prinicipal is a misspelling.
- separate vs seperate
- separate is correct; seperate is a misspelling.
- occurrence vs occurance
- occurrence is correct; occurance is a misspelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people spell it attornies sometimes?
People often spell it attornies because the word sounds similar to the correct spelling. This phonetic confusion leads to errors when typing legal terms quickly or without proofreading.
Is attornies ever accepted in formal writing?
No, attornies is never accepted in formal writing. It is a misspelling that should be avoided in all professional documents, legal briefs, and official correspondence.
Can I use attorneys for both singular and plural?
Yes, attorneys works for both singular and plural cases. The singular form is attorney, and the plural is attorneys, following standard English grammar rules.
What is the origin of the word attorney?
The word attorney comes from the Old French word atorner, meaning to surrender. It evolved to describe someone who acts on behalf of another in legal matters.
