a lawyer which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lawyer which" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct relative pronoun to use with "lawyer" is "who" since it refers to a person. Example: "I need to find a lawyer who specializes in family law."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He told her he was a lawyer, which interested her.

The New York Times - Style

She is also a lawyer, which is not quite so groundbreaking for a politician.

The Economist

A full adoption involved hiring a lawyer, which they didn't have the money to do.

The New Yorker

"You could be a lawyer, which is what Doug is, and still be a really interesting, enigmatic, attractive guy.

The New York Times

Eventually, Mr. Abdulmutallab stopped talking and asked for a lawyer, which he received about 30 hours after his arrest.

The New York Times

Until now, Mr. Yang has not been allowed to see a lawyer, which his lawyers and supporters have said is a blatant violation of Chinese law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In the magazine this week, I write about the long-unavailable "Party Girl," a gangland-Chicago romance between a dancer and a Mob lawyer, which has recently been made available on demand by Warner Archive.

The New Yorker

In June, 2016, he attended a meeting with a Russian lawyer, which Donald Trump, Jr., had arranged after he was told that she was aware of information, possessed by the Kremlin, that would "incriminate" Hillary Clinton.

The New Yorker

Or just a matter-of-fact response by a canon lawyer — which the cardinal is — to a question about church law?

The New York Times

He displayed a talent and skill as a community lawyer which won the admiration even of his opponents.

The Guardian

He noted that Wahiba had hired a female lawyer, which he believed was a shrewd strategy for intimidating the judge, who he expected to be a graduate of Al Azhar University, the most prestigious Islamic institution in the Arab world.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the relative pronoun "who" when referring to people. "Which" is generally used for objects, animals, or concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "which" instead of "who" when referring to a person. Using "which" can make your writing sound awkward or grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lawyer which" functions as part of a relative clause, attempting to provide additional information about the noun "lawyer". However, it's grammatically incorrect as "which" is typically used for non-human referents, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a lawyer which" appears relatively frequently, especially in News & Media, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The relative pronoun "which" should typically refer to non-human entities. To correct this, use "a lawyer who" or "a lawyer that" instead. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue. Despite its presence in some publications, adhering to correct grammar enhances clarity and professionalism. Always favor "who" or "that" when referring to people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lawyer who

Replaces "which" with the correct relative pronoun "who" for referring to a person.

an attorney who

Substitutes "lawyer" with "attorney" and uses the correct relative pronoun "who".

a lawyer that

Replaces "which" with "that", an acceptable alternative relative pronoun in some contexts when referring to a person.

a legal representative who

Replaces "lawyer" with a more formal term and uses the correct relative pronoun "who".

counsel who

Uses a more concise and formal term, "counsel", with the correct relative pronoun "who".

a solicitor who

Replaces "lawyer" with "solicitor" (common in British English) and uses "who".

an advocate who

Replaces "lawyer" with "advocate" and uses the correct relative pronoun "who".

a barrister who

Replaces "lawyer" with "barrister" and uses the correct relative pronoun "who".

legal counsel who

combines "legal counsel" for a formal alternative with correct relative pronoun "who".

an attorney at law who

replaces lawyer for a more formal term with correct relative pronoun "who".

FAQs

What is the correct relative pronoun to use when referring to a lawyer?

When referring to a lawyer, the correct relative pronoun to use is "who" or "that", not "which". For example, "I need a lawyer who specializes in corporate law" is correct.

Can I use "that" instead of "who" when referring to a lawyer?

Yes, in some contexts, "that" can be used instead of "who" when referring to a lawyer. For example, "He's the lawyer that I hired". While grammatically correct, "who" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "a lawyer which"?

You can use alternatives like "a lawyer who" or "an attorney who" depending on the context.

Is "a lawyer which" grammatically correct?

No, "a lawyer which" is not grammatically correct. The correct relative pronoun to use when referring to a person is "who" or "that". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical error.