If you’ve ever typed “attornies or attorneys” into Google, you’re not alone. This is a very common spelling confusion, especially for students, writers, bloggers, and even professionals who deal with legal topics.
The confusion usually appears when people hear the word spoken and try to spell it from memory.
Since English has many words with irregular plural forms, it’s easy to assume that attornies might be correct.
Searchers want a quick answer, but they also want to understand why one spelling is right and the other is not.
This confusion matters because legal writing demands accuracy. A small spelling mistake can reduce credibility in emails, articles, resumes, websites, and official documents.
This article solves that confusion clearly and simply. You’ll learn the correct spelling, where the word comes from, how British and American English handle it, and which version you should use for your audience.
You’ll also see real-life examples, common mistakes, usage trends, and FAQs—so you never get it wrong again.
Attornies or Attorneys – Quick Answer
Attorneys is the correct spelling.
Attornies is incorrect and considered a spelling mistake.
Examples:
- ✅ She hired two attorneys for the case.
- ❌ She hired two attornies for the case.
The plural of attorney follows a special English rule. The -ey ending changes to -eys, not -ies.
The Origin of Attornies or Attorneys
The word attorney comes from Old French atorné, meaning “appointed” or “assigned.” It entered English legal language in the Middle Ages.
Historically, an attorney was someone appointed to act on another person’s behalf—especially in legal matters. Over time, the meaning became fixed as a legal professional.
Why the spelling confusion exists:
- Many English words ending in -y change to -ies (city → cities).
- But words ending in -ey usually add -s (key → keys, attorney → attorneys).
This rule is why attornies never became a standard spelling.
British English vs American English Spelling
Unlike many spelling debates, this one is simple.
- American English: attorneys
- British English: attorneys
Both varieties use the same spelling.
Comparison Table
| Variant | Correct? | Used In |
| attorneys | ✅ Yes | US, UK, global |
| attornies | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling |
There is no regional difference here.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The answer depends on correctness—not location.
- For US audiences: Use attorneys
- For UK or Commonwealth audiences: Use attorneys
- For global or SEO content: Always use attorneys
Using attornies can harm credibility, SEO rankings, and professionalism. Search engines recognize attorneys as the standard form.
Common Mistakes with Attornies or Attorneys
Here are frequent errors people make:
- ❌ Writing attornies because of words like stories
✅ Correct: attorneys - ❌ Mixing singular and plural forms
✅ Correct: attorney (one), attorneys (more than one) - ❌ Using incorrect spellings in headlines or legal content
✅ Correct: Always double-check legal terms - ❌ Assuming British English uses attornies
✅ Correct: British English also uses attorneys
Attornies or Attorneys in Everyday Examples
Emails
- ✅ “Our attorneys will contact you tomorrow.”
News
- ✅ “Defense attorneys argued the case in court.”
Social Media
- ✅ “Looking for experienced attorneys in New York?”
Formal Writing
- ✅ “The firm employs over fifty licensed attorneys.”
Attornies or Attorneys – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows that “attorneys” is widely used in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
The term appears most often in:
- Legal websites
- Law firm pages
- News articles
- Educational content
The phrase “attornies” appears mainly due to:
- Misspellings
- Non-native English usage
- Typing errors
Google recognizes attorneys as the correct and dominant form.
Comparison Table: Keyword Variations
| Term | Status | Recommendation |
| attorneys | Correct | Use everywhere |
| attornies | Incorrect | Avoid completely |
| attorney | Correct (singular) | Use for one person |
FAQs
1. Is “attornies” ever correct?
No. It is always incorrect.
2. Why do people spell it as attornies?
Because many plural nouns end in -ies, which causes confusion.
3. Do British lawyers use a different spelling?
No. Both British and American English use attorneys.
4. Is “attorney” the same as “lawyer”?
In the US, yes. In the UK, the term is less common but still correct.
5. Which spelling is best for SEO?
Attorneys is the best and only correct choice.
6. Can I use attornies in informal writing?
No. It’s incorrect in all contexts.
7. What is the singular form?
Attorney.
Conclusion
The confusion between attornies or attorneys is common, but the correct answer is clear. Attorneys is the only correct spelling in both American and British English.
The word comes from French and follows the English plural rule for -ey endings, which take -s, not -ies.
Using the wrong spelling can affect your credibility, especially in legal, academic, or professional writing.
Whether you’re sending an email, writing a blog, publishing news content, or optimizing a website for search engines, attorneys is always the right choice.
If your audience is global, US-based, or UK-based, the rule does not change. Avoid attornies completely. Remembering this small detail will improve your writing quality, SEO performance, and professional image.
Martha Kolln is an experienced grammar expert and academic writer at Grammiffy, where she presents English grammar and sentence structure in a clear, practical, and learner-friendly way.
With a strong focus on style and effective communication, Martha helps readers understand how grammar works in real writing, not just in rules.
