Have you ever typed attornies and wondered if it was correct? You’re not alone. Many English learners and native speakers make this mistake because the plural form of attorney doesn’t always seem obvious. Fortunately, once you understand the spelling rule, it’s easy to remember.
If you’re deciding between attornies and attorneys, this guide will explain which spelling is correct, why the other is incorrect, and how to avoid this common grammar mistake. You’ll also find examples, a comparison table, common errors, and helpful memory tips to make the correct spelling stick.
Quick Answer
Attorneys is the correct plural form of attorney. Attornies is incorrect and should not be used in standard English.
| Word | Correct? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Attorneys | ✅ Yes | More than one attorney (lawyer) |
| Attornies | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling |
What Does “Attorney” Mean?
An attorney is a person who is legally qualified to represent clients, provide legal advice, and appear in court on behalf of individuals or organizations.
Depending on the country, an attorney may also be called:
- Lawyer
- Legal representative
- Legal counsel
- Advocate
- Solicitor (in some legal systems)
- Barrister (in certain jurisdictions)
The plural form simply refers to more than one attorney.
Examples:
- The attorneys met before the trial.
- Several attorneys attended the legal conference.
- Our company hired experienced attorneys for the case.
Attornies vs Attorneys: What’s the Difference?
The difference is simple.
Attorneys follows the standard English spelling rule for nouns ending in -y after a vowel.
Attornies is a spelling mistake.
| Feature | Attornies | Attorneys |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Dictionary word | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Accepted in formal writing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used in legal documents | ❌ Never | ✅ Always |
Whenever you’re writing about more than one attorney, always choose attorneys.
Why Is “Attorneys” Correct?
The word attorney ends with the letters ey.
When a noun ends in:
- A vowel + y, simply add -s.
- A consonant + y, change y to i and add -es.
Since attorney ends with e + y, the correct plural is:
- attorney → attorneys ✅
Not:
- attorney → attornies ❌
This rule applies to many English nouns.
Similar Examples
Here are some words that follow the same rule.
| Singular | Correct Plural |
|---|---|
| Attorney | Attorneys |
| Key | Keys |
| Monkey | Monkeys |
| Valley | Valleys |
| Boy | Boys |
| Journey | Journeys |
Notice that none of these words change y to ies because the y follows a vowel.
Words That Do Change to “-ies”
Compare that with nouns ending in a consonant followed by y.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| City | Cities |
| Baby | Babies |
| Country | Countries |
| Lady | Ladies |
| Party | Parties |
Here, the y changes to ies because it follows a consonant.
Examples of “Attorneys” in Sentences
Here are some everyday examples.
Legal Profession
- The attorneys reviewed the contract together.
- Several attorneys represented the company.
Business
- Our attorneys prepared the agreement.
- The firm’s attorneys specialize in corporate law.
Court
- Both attorneys presented convincing arguments.
- The judge listened carefully to the attorneys.
Education
- Many new attorneys attended the legal seminar.
- Experienced attorneys mentored recent graduates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many writers accidentally make these spelling errors.
Avoid:
- Writing attornies instead of attorneys.
- Assuming every word ending in y changes to ies.
- Using attornies in legal documents.
- Mixing singular and plural forms incorrectly.
- Ignoring the vowel-before-y spelling rule.
A quick spell check can help, but knowing the rule makes it much easier.
Easy Ways to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here are a few simple tricks.
- Attorney ends in ey, so just add s.
- If a word ends with vowel + y, don’t change the y.
- Think of key → keys and attorney → attorneys.
- Never write attornies in professional or academic writing.
A simple reminder:
Vowel + y = Add “s.”
American vs British English
Unlike many spelling differences, attorneys is spelled the same in both American and British English.
However, the job title differs.
In the United States:
- Attorney is a common legal title.
In the United Kingdom:
- Legal professionals are more commonly called solicitors or barristers.
Even so, when the word attorney is used, its plural remains attorneys.
| Feature | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Common | Less common |
| Attorneys | Correct | Correct |
| Attornies | Incorrect | Incorrect |
There is no British spelling attornies.
When Should You Use “Attorneys”?
Use attorneys whenever you’re referring to two or more attorneys.
Examples:
- The attorneys reached a settlement.
- Our attorneys reviewed every document.
- Experienced attorneys handled the negotiations.
- The attorneys met with the clients.
- Several attorneys testified during the hearing.
Never replace it with attornies.
FAQs
Is attornies a real word?
No. Attornies is not the correct plural spelling of attorney in standard English.
What is the correct plural of attorney?
The correct plural is attorneys.
Why isn’t it spelled attornies?
Because attorney ends in a vowel followed by y. According to English spelling rules, you simply add s.
Is attorneys correct in legal writing?
Yes. Attorneys is the only correct plural form used in legal documents, academic writing, and professional communication.
Is there a British spelling of attorneys?
No. The spelling attorneys is correct in both American and British English. However, British English more commonly uses solicitors or barristers depending on the legal role.
Can I ever use attornies?
No. It is considered a spelling error and should be avoided.
How can I remember the correct spelling?
Remember that attorney ends with ey, just like key. Since key becomes keys, attorney becomes attorneys.
Summary
When choosing between attornies and attorneys, the answer is simple. Attorneys is the only correct plural form of attorney, while attornies is a common spelling mistake. The rule is easy to remember: because attorney ends with a vowel followed by y, you simply add s to make it plural.
Whether you’re writing legal documents, academic papers, business correspondence, or everyday emails, using attorneys will ensure your writing is accurate and professional. By understanding this simple spelling rule and practicing it consistently, you’ll avoid one of the most common mistakes involving this word.
