a board of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a board of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of individuals assembled to investigate a specific issue or incident, often in formal or official contexts. Example: "The government established a board of inquiry to investigate the recent environmental disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The navy has formed a board of inquiry to look into the possible causes for the explosion.

The New York Times

The first, released on March 13th by a board of inquiry commissioned by the police, found that the president had violated the chain of command.

The Economist

President Bush has taken the first steps toward reopening West Coast ports, creating a board of inquiry that will report on the economic damage resulting from the shutdown.

The New York Times

Parks also named a board of inquiry that produced a thoughtful report critical of the lack of supervision in Rampart Crash.

The New York Times - Magazine

A board of inquiry impaneled by New York City Transit found that Mr. London had "the greatest culpability" for the accident.

The New York Times

A board of inquiry concluded the leak went unnoticed because "managerial controls over the line were insufficient and there was inadequate inspection".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The incident, by the way, happened 5 1/2 years ago, but only came to light Thursday with the long-resisted release of a board-of-inquiry report.

The New York Times

(Agence France-Presse) PAKISTAN: ANOTHER TRIAL DELAY -- The trial of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hit another snag when a prosecution witness mentioned that he had been questioned by a military "board of inquiry".

The New York Times

A separate board of inquiry report into the death of Collinson was released to his family this week.

The Guardian

A military board of inquiry found the crash was caused when leaking fuel came into contact with a hot-air pipe.

Independent

A Norwegian board of inquiry found that missteps by several parties, including Transocean and the support vessel's owner, had contributed to the incident.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a board of inquiry" when referring to a formally constituted group tasked with investigating a specific incident, often with the goal of determining facts and assigning responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a board of inquiry" in casual conversation or informal writing. This phrase carries a level of formality and seriousness that is inappropriate for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a board of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific entity—an assembled group tasked with conducting an investigation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a formal reference to an investigative body.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a board of inquiry" is a noun phrase denoting a formally constituted group tasked with investigating an incident or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, Wiki and science. The phrase's primary function is to report about a formal investigation. When using this phrase, keep in mind that alternatives such as "an investigative committee" can be used. It's important to reserve this term for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an investigative committee

Focuses on the committee's role in investigation, rather than just inquiry.

a fact-finding panel

Emphasizes the panel's role in gathering facts.

an inquiry commission

Uses "commission" instead of "board", implying a formal appointment.

a review panel

Suggests a more evaluative or reassessment-oriented approach.

an investigative body

Uses a more general term for the group conducting the investigation.

a commission of investigation

Reverses the order of words, but carries the same meaning.

a probe team

More informal, suggesting an in-depth investigation.

a fact-finding mission

Suggests a specific goal-oriented investigation.

an audit team

Implies an inspection process focused on financial or procedural irregularities.

a tribunal

Suggests a more formal or legalistic inquiry.

FAQs

How is "a board of inquiry" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a board of inquiry" is used to describe a group of people officially assembled to investigate an incident or situation. For example, "The navy formed "a board of inquiry" to investigate the submarine explosion."

What are some alternatives to "a board of inquiry"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an investigative committee", "a fact-finding panel", or "an inquiry commission".

Is "board of inquiry" the same as "committee of inquiry"?

While both phrases refer to a group formed to investigate, ""a board of inquiry"" often implies a more formal or official investigation, particularly in military or governmental contexts. "A committee of inquiry" can be used in a broader range of situations.

When is it appropriate to use "a board of inquiry" instead of a simpler term like "investigation"?

Use "a board of inquiry" when you want to emphasize the formal, structured nature of the investigation and the group responsible for conducting it. It highlights the official establishment of a body specifically for the inquiry.