What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distraint
Example
The landlord threatened distraint if the tenant did not pay the rent. [distraint: noun]
Example
The government issued a distraint order on the company's assets to recover unpaid taxes. [distraint: adjective]
attachment
Example
The bank placed an attachment on the debtor's house as collateral for the loan. [attachment: noun]
Example
The court issued an attachment order on the defendant's bank account to satisfy the plaintiff's claim. [attachment: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Attachment is more commonly used than distraint in everyday language, especially in financial and legal contexts. Attachment is a more general term that covers a wider range of legal actions, while distraint is a more specific term that is mainly used in the context of recovering unpaid debts or obligations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distraint and attachment?
Both distraint and attachment are formal terms that are mainly used in legal and financial contexts. However, attachment is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
