a inquiry about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a inquiry about" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "an inquiry about" because "inquiry" begins with a vowel sound. Example: "I have an inquiry about the application process for the scholarship."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, a response to an inquiry about a cancer cluster in those states is usually resolved either by phone, by mail or at public meetings.

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Also seeking answers is the Académie des Beaux-Arts, a prestigious French cultural society that has filed a legal complaint seeking an inquiry about a missing painting; Mr. Wildenstein's father, Daniel, and grandfather Georges were elected members.

The New York Times - Arts

And he labeled an inquiry about a political rival a "waste" of a question.

The New York Times

Simply filing an inquiry about a missing ration card, a wayward pension application or a birth certificate is nowadays enough to force the once stodgy bureaucracy to deliver, activists here say.

The New York Times

In July, the Travel Q & A column answered an inquiry about French language study in Paris.

The New York Times - Travel

After receiving numerous calls and having to turn down all of them, there was an inquiry about a boy who needed placement immediately.

Huffington Post

When the GMC receives an inquiry about a doctor, some additional information is collected about the doctor's employment and the source and nature of the inquiry.

British Medical Journal

A few days after an inquiry about the lack of schedules, Old Greenwich received a supply.

The New York Times

In the subject field, make it obvious that this is an apology and an inquiry about your ban terms.

WikiHow

A man at the marina, answering an inquiry about the project, said: "This is a waste of time.

The New York Times

Mr. Plofsky's recommendations were made in a memo dated March 7 , 2003 in response to an inquiry about the proposed creation of a different legal defense fund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "an inquiry about" instead of "a inquiry about". The article 'an' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Common error

Avoid using the article 'a' before the word 'inquiry'. The correct article is 'an' because 'inquiry' begins with a vowel sound. For example, say "I have an inquiry about your services" not "I have a inquiry about your services".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a inquiry about" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to introduce a noun phrase, but uses the wrong article. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct form is "an inquiry about".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a inquiry about" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, the correct form is "an inquiry about", since 'inquiry' begins with a vowel sound. While there are no instances of "a inquiry about" in Ludwig's database, alternative phrases such as "an inquiry regarding", or "a question concerning" can be used. Remember to use "an inquiry about" in neutral to formal settings when seeking information or clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enquiry about

Uses the British English spelling 'enquiry' instead of 'inquiry', which is a regional variation.

an inquiry regarding

Replaces 'about' with 'regarding', maintaining a similar level of formality but sounding slightly more professional.

a query regarding

Replaces 'inquiry' with 'query', offering a slightly more technical or formal alternative.

a question concerning

Substitutes 'inquiry' with 'question' and 'about' with 'concerning', resulting in a more direct and slightly less formal tone.

a request for information about

Rephrases the inquiry as a 'request', making the intention more explicit and formal.

an investigation of

This suggests a more formal and in-depth examination than a simple inquiry.

a solicitation for

This phrase is more formal and suggests a request for something, often information or assistance.

a probe into

Replaces "inquiry" with "probe", suggesting a more thorough and investigative approach.

a check on

Replaces "inquiry" with "check", making it sound less formal.

a follow-up on

Suggests a continuation of a previous discussion or investigation.

FAQs

How to properly use the phrase "an inquiry about" in a sentence?

Use "an inquiry about" when you are asking for information or making a formal request. For example, "I made "an inquiry about" the job opening".

What's the difference between "an inquiry about" and "a question about"?

"An inquiry about" is generally more formal than "a question about". Use "an inquiry about" in professional or official contexts, while "a question about" is suitable for everyday conversation. For example, "I have "a question about" the homework" is less formal than "I have "an inquiry about" the policy".

What are some alternatives to using "an inquiry about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a question regarding", "a request for information about", or "an enquiry about" (British English). Each offers a slightly different nuance and level of formality.

Is it ever correct to use "a inquiry about"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect to use "a inquiry about". The correct usage is always "an inquiry about" because the word 'inquiry' begins with a vowel sound, requiring the use of the article 'an'.