If you are wondering whether “attornies” or “attorneys” is correct, the answer is attorneys. Attorneys is the correct plural form of attorney, while attornies is a common spelling mistake. An attorney is a lawyer who is legally qualified to represent clients and provide legal advice.
The confusion usually happens because many English words ending in -y change the y to -ies when made plural, such as city → cities and party → parties. However, attorney follows a different pattern because the letter before the final y is a vowel.
Its plural is formed simply by adding -s: attorney → attorneys. Understanding this small spelling rule can help you avoid mistakes in emails, essays, legal writing, and everyday English.
Quick Answer
Attorneys is the correct spelling. Attornies is incorrect. The singular word is attorney, and its plural is attorneys. For example: “The attorneys reviewed the contract.” When referring to more than one lawyer, always use attorneys.
Why Do People Confuse “Attornies” and “Attorneys”?
The confusion comes from a common English pluralization rule.
When a noun ends in a consonant + y, the y usually changes to -ies:
- city → cities
- country → countries
- company → companies
- party → parties
However, when a noun ends in a vowel + y, you normally keep the y and simply add -s:
- boy → boys
- day → days
- key → keys
- toy → toys
- attorney → attorneys
In attorney, the letter before y is e, which is a vowel. Therefore, the correct plural is attorneys, not attornies.
First Word: Attornies
Attornies is an incorrect spelling of the plural form of attorney.
You may see this spelling because people apply the consonant + y → ies rule incorrectly. Although attornies may look reasonable, it is not the standard plural spelling.
Incorrect: The attornies prepared the documents.
Correct: The attorneys prepared the documents.
If you are writing formally, use attorneys.
Second Word: Attorneys
Attorneys is the correct plural of attorney.
An attorney is a lawyer who is authorized to act for or represent another person in legal matters. When talking about two or more attorneys, simply add -s.
Singular: attorney
Plural: attorneys
Examples:
- The attorney met with her client.
- The attorneys met with their clients.
- Several attorneys attended the hearing.
Attornies vs Attorneys: Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attornies | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling | Avoid this spelling. |
| Attorneys | ✅ Yes | Plural of attorney | The attorneys discussed the case. |
| Attorney | ✅ Yes | Singular form | The attorney represented the client. |
When Should You Use Each?
There is only one standard spelling you should use for the plural:
Use “attorneys”
Use attorneys whenever you are talking about more than one attorney.
Example:
“The company hired two attorneys to handle the matter.”
Use “attornies” only when identifying a mistake
You should not use attornies in standard English writing.
Incorrect: Three attornies attended the meeting.
Correct: Three attorneys attended the meeting.
10+ Examples of “Attorneys” in Sentences
- The attorneys reviewed the agreement carefully.
- Several attorneys attended the court hearing.
- The company hired experienced attorneys.
- The attorneys discussed the case with their clients.
- Two attorneys worked together on the lawsuit.
- The attorneys prepared the necessary legal documents.
- Many attorneys specialize in different areas of law.
- The attorneys met before the trial began.
- The firm employs several attorneys.
- The attorneys provided legal advice to the business.
- Both attorneys presented their arguments.
- The attorneys examined the evidence before making a decision.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is writing attornies instead of attorneys.
Mistake 1: Applying the wrong plural rule
People sometimes assume:
But this is incorrect because attorney ends in vowel + y.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the original spelling
The singular word is attorney, not attornie. When making it plural, retain the original spelling and add -s.
attorney + s = attorneys
Mistake 3: Using “attornies” in formal writing
Because legal documents and professional communication require accurate spelling, avoid attornies in formal contexts.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Vowel + Y → add S
Since attorney ends with ey, simply add s:
ATTORNEY → ATTORNEYS
You can also remember:
Attorney keeps the Y when it becomes plural.
Compare:
- attorney → attorneys
- boy → boys
- key → keys
- day → days
American vs British English
Attorneys is the standard plural spelling in American English.
In British English, lawyer is often the more common general term for someone who practices law, while attorney can have more specific legal meanings depending on the context. However, when the plural of attorney is needed, the spelling attorneys remains correct.
The incorrect spelling attornies is not made correct by switching between American and British English.
Similar Words
Understanding related words can make the spelling easier to remember:
- Attorney — one legal professional
- Attorneys — more than one attorney
- Lawyer — a person qualified to practice law
- Counsel — legal advice or a lawyer acting in a legal matter
- Solicitor — a type of legal professional, especially in the UK
- Barrister — a lawyer who traditionally specializes in advocacy in court, particularly in the UK
These terms can have different legal meanings depending on the country and legal system.
Final Verdict
The correct spelling is attorneys.
Attornies ❌
Attorneys ✅
The reason is simple: attorney ends in a vowel followed by y, so you add -s rather than changing y to -ies.
Attorney → Attorneys
FAQs:
Is “attornies” a correct spelling?
No. Attornies is an incorrect spelling. The correct plural form of attorney is attorneys.
What is the plural of attorney?
The plural of attorney is attorneys. You simply add -s to the singular form.
Why is it attorneys and not attornies?
Because attorney ends in a vowel + y. Words ending in vowel + y generally form their plurals by adding -s, giving attorneys.
Is “attorneys” singular or plural?
Attorneys is plural. The singular form is attorney.
Can I use “attornies” in formal writing?
No. Use attorneys in formal, academic, professional, and legal writing.
Is “attorneys” correct in American English?
Yes. Attorneys is the standard plural spelling in American English.
Is “attorneys” the plural of lawyer?
No. Attorney and lawyer are related terms, but their plural forms are different: attorney → attorneys and lawyer → lawyers.
Remember This
The easiest rule is:
Attorney → Attorneys ✅
Not:
Attorney → Attornies ❌
Because the word ends with vowel + y, keep the y and add s.
Conclusion
When choosing between attornies and attorneys, always choose attorneys. It is the correct plural form of attorney. The spelling attornies results from applying the wrong pluralization rule to a word ending in vowel + y.
If you remember that attorney keeps its y when pluralized, the correct spelling becomes easy: one attorney, two attorneys. Use attorneys in everyday, academic, professional, and legal writing whenever you mean more than one attorney.
Lucas Smith is a skilled language writer at Synomity.com, passionate about synonyms, vocabulary enrichment, and word meanings. He develops engaging content that helps readers strengthen communication skills and expand their understanding of language.
