Cool MateAttorney vs He's a good lawyer
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Attorney
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)C1noun
He's a good lawyer
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: AttorneyMost common: Attorney
| Attorney | He's a good lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtɜːni/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtɜːrni/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hiːz ə ɡʊd ˈlɔːjə//🇺🇸 //hiz ə ɡʊd ˈlɔɪər// |
| Meaning | A person who is qualified to represent others in legal matters. | A person who helps others with legal problems. |
| Example | The attorney provided valuable advice during the trial. | He's a good lawyer because he always wins cases. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | defense, prosecuting, district, hire, retain, appoint, represent somebody, practice something, specialize in something | good lawyer, experienced lawyer, criminal lawyer, family lawyer, expert lawyer |
| Antonyms | client, defendant | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'solicitor' (not all attorneys are solicitors in some countries), Using 'attorney' in informal speech where 'lawyer' is more appropriate, Mixing up 'attorney' with 'agent', as they have different meanings | Confusing 'lawyer' with 'attorney.', Using 'good' too generally; specify what makes them good., Assuming all lawyers are good without context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'attorney' in formal contexts such as legal documents or discussions. In casual conversation, 'lawyer' is often preferred. Avoid using 'attorney' when referring to a non-legal context. | Used to describe someone who practices law effectively. Appropriate in both casual and formal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Attorney vs He's a good lawyer
What's the difference between Attorney and He's a good lawyer?
Attorney: A person who is qualified to represent others in legal matters. He's a good lawyer: A person who helps others with legal problems.
Which is more formal: Attorney and He's a good lawyer?
Attorney is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Attorney and He's a good lawyer?
Attorney is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Attorney: The attorney provided valuable advice during the trial. He's a good lawyer: He's a good lawyer because he always wins cases.
Can I use Attorney and He's a good lawyer interchangeably?
Not always. Attorney and He's a good lawyer are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.