a brief inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief inquiry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as: 1. "The police conducted a brief inquiry into the matter before making an arrest." 2. "Her supervisor asked for a brief inquiry into the project's progress." 3. "The committee was formed to conduct a brief inquiry into the company's finances." 4. "I submitted a brief inquiry to the customer service department regarding my order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There was a brief inquiry about mudslides in Italy, and then The Question was posed.

The New York Times

A brief inquiry about the seawater brings owner Mauro Palombo haring over to our table, extolling its virtues.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A few weeks after the shootings, a brief inquiry was conducted under the supervision of the colonial attorney general, Sir Stafford Foster Sutton.

The New York Times

After a brief inquiry, the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, ordered Italy to repay 720,000 euros, or about $983,000, used by local authorities to pay for the concert last year in Naples.

The New York Times

A posthumous publication by the political philosopher John Rawls, "A Brief Inquiry Into the Meaning of Sin & Faith" (Harvard; $27.95), allows us to see how a very intelligent believer, who once considered the priesthood, lost his Christian faith as a young man.

The New Yorker

Following revelations about the Prism eavesdropping programme in June, the ISC held a brief inquiry that exonerated GCHQ and did absolutely nothing to raise concerns about the under-appreciated powers granted to the agency by Labour's Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Shortly after the riot there was a brief official inquiry, but documents related to the riot disappeared soon afterward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bishop Lori said that under the revised policy an accused priest would be immediately suspended from his ministry if a brief preliminary inquiry suggested that the allegations were credible.

The New York Times

The best story, in this regard, may be the one that seems at first glance the slightest -- a brief, quizzical inquiry into changing approaches to child-rearing and marriage called "How Was It, Really?," in which the narrator, a father of four grown children, now settled into grandparenthood, can't quite formulate an answer to his question.

The New York Times - Books

Besides the rather odd and brief inquiry made by the SPLC and those "investigations" of Bailey made by Conway, James, and their cohort—"investigations" which, as noted above and below, appear factually and ethically flawed in key respects apparently the only formal, institutional investigation made of Bailey was that conducted by the Provost's office of Northwestern University.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

This document, prepared as part of a brief US field inquiry into the incident, showed that the Australians had bound the prisoners' thumbs together before handing them over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief inquiry", ensure the context clarifies the scope and limitations of the investigation. This prevents misunderstandings about the depth of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief inquiry" when the situation requires a thorough and detailed investigation. Misusing the phrase can create the impression that the issue was not taken seriously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "inquiry". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an action or event related to a short investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief inquiry" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a short or preliminary investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show it frequently appears in news and media contexts. While not as common as other phrases, it's suitable for neutral registers. When using the phrase, ensure the context appropriately reflects the limited scope of the inquiry to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives include "a short investigation" or "a quick examination".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short investigation

Replaces "inquiry" with a more direct synonym and "brief" with "short".

a quick examination

Substitutes "inquiry" with "examination", implying a closer look within a limited timeframe.

a preliminary investigation

Specifies that the investigation is at an initial stage.

a concise investigation

Uses "concise" in place of "brief" to emphasize the succinct nature of the investigation.

a short questioning

Replaces "inquiry" with "questioning", focusing on the act of asking questions.

a cursory review

Suggests a superficial examination, faster and less in-depth than a standard inquiry.

a swift assessment

Implies a rapid evaluation or judgment.

a snap inspection

Suggests a sudden and immediate check.

a light interrogation

Indicates a gentle and non-invasive questioning process.

a fast probe

Emphasizes the speed and directness of the investigation.

FAQs

What does "a brief inquiry" mean?

A "brief inquiry" refers to a short, quick investigation or a set of questions asked to gather initial information about a particular matter. It implies a less detailed examination than a full investigation.

How can I use "a brief inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief inquiry" to describe a situation where a quick investigation or set of questions was conducted. For example, "The manager conducted "a brief inquiry" into the customer's complaint."

What are some alternatives to "a brief inquiry"?

Some alternatives to "a brief inquiry" include "a short investigation", "a quick examination", or "a cursory review". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a brief inquiry" instead of "a thorough investigation"?

"A brief inquiry" is appropriate when the issue is minor or when only initial information is needed. "A thorough investigation" is necessary when the matter is serious and requires a detailed and comprehensive examination.