I enquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I enquired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to asking a question (informally), as in the example sentence below: I enquired about the cost of the plane tickets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Heavy session?" I enquired.

The Guardian - Travel

I enquired what this meant.

The Guardian

After I enquired about this, it cancelled the booking.

Independent

Won't you miss your charming new wife, I enquired.

Independent

"Don't you want to know more about me?" I enquired.

The Guardian

Does Brad always look this smart, I enquired.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

'Fraudulent?' I enquire.

The Guardian - Books

Where is Woody, I enquire?

The Guardian - Music

I enquire how big a sport rugby is in Mexico.

The Guardian - Film

I enquire about the unusual choice of colour.

The Guardian - Travel

Has she, I enquire, ever had a relationship with a politician?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I enquired" when you want to sound slightly more formal than simply saying "I asked". It's appropriate for written communication and professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "enquire" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. In everyday speech, "I asked" generally sounds more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I enquired" functions as a subject-verb construction, where "I" is the subject and "enquired" is the verb. According to Ludwig, it's a valid construction in written English that indicates the act of asking a question or seeking information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I enquired" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to indicate that you asked a question or sought information. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples, predominantly from news and media sources. While it's a more formal alternative to "I asked", it's suitable for professional writing and reporting. Consider the context when choosing between "I enquired" and its simpler alternatives to ensure the tone matches your intended audience and message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I inquired

A slightly more formal variant that is very close in meaning to "I enquired".

I asked

This is a direct and simpler substitute for "I enquired", suitable for most contexts.

I questioned

Implies a more formal or potentially skeptical inquiry than "I enquired".

I wanted to know

Rephrases the inquiry as a statement of desire for information.

I made an inquiry

Nominalizes the verb, focusing on the inquiry as an event.

I sought information

Formal and emphasizes the act of actively seeking details.

I put the question

Emphasizes the act of posing a specific question.

I consulted

Suggests seeking advice or information from an expert or authority.

I investigated

Suggests a more thorough examination or fact-finding mission.

I explored

Implies a broad and open-ended search for information.

FAQs

What's a good substitute for "I enquired"?

Alternatives include "I asked", "I questioned", or "I inquired", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

How does "I enquired" differ from "I asked"?

"I enquired" is generally considered more formal than "I asked". Use "I enquired" in more formal or professional contexts.

Is "I enquired" appropriate for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "I enquired" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. "I asked" is often a better fit.

Can I use "I enquired" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "I enquired" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a question or request for information. For example, "I enquired about the meeting time".