a recent inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recent inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question or investigation that has taken place not long ago. Example: "Following a recent inquiry into the company's practices, several changes have been proposed to improve transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The response to a recent inquiry about cocktails was "We have a full bar".

The New Yorker

A recent inquiry from a potential customer indicated that he was on the right track.

The New York Times

A recent inquiry for Monaco's Radamel Falcao, though thwarted, indicates the pedigree being targeted.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, Roach added that each day, someone asked about the potential bout, including a recent inquiry by Sylvester Stallone.

The New York Times - Sports

A recent inquiry by the Dutch national doping agency estimated doping to be "between 14 and 39 per cent".

Independent

A recent inquiry by a reporter made to a mayoral agency yielded a reply from Ms. Quinn's office, who had not been previously contacted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

On Tuesday, defense lawyers, who have filed court papers to overturn Cruz's conviction, wrapped up their case by calling police officers who were involved in the murder investigation and a more recent inquiry into Reyes' alleged confession.

Los Angeles Times

A recent parliamentary inquiry found "the general oversight of research integrity in the UK to be unsatisfactory" [ 45] and reiterated an earlier recommendation to establish a national oversight body for research integrity [ 46].

BMC Health Services Research

This fact was raised in a recent Senate inquiry, which examined the cuts.

The Guardian

During a recent parliamentary inquiry, Andrew Metcalfe, the Immigration and Citizenship Department secretary, accused Iranian detainees of "contumacious behavior, willful disobedience".

The New York Times

First, the Indigenous Advancement Strategy's tendering process has just received an extremely negative assessment by a recent Senate inquiry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "a recent inquiry". In more formal settings, this phrase is appropriate. In informal contexts, a simpler term like 'question' or 'check' might be better.

Common error

Avoid using "a recent inquiry" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "a new study", "current investigation", or "latest assessment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recent inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It introduces a topic related to a question or investigation that occurred in the near past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a recent inquiry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in sentences. Ludwig's analysis confirms its appropriateness for introducing topics related to questions or investigations that have occurred recently. The phrase is generally considered neutral and professional, making it suitable for news, formal reports, and discussions. While alternatives like "a new probe" or "current investigation" exist, the key is to maintain clarity and context. It is important to be mindful of timeframe and audience, and to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a current investigation

Replaces 'inquiry' with 'investigation' and 'recent' with 'current', focusing on the active nature of the investigation.

a contemporary assessment

Substitutes 'inquiry' with 'assessment' and 'recent' with 'contemporary', highlighting the modern aspect of the assessment.

a present examination

Replaces 'inquiry' with 'examination' and 'recent' with 'present', emphasizing the ongoing nature of the examination.

a new probe

Uses 'probe' instead of 'inquiry' and 'new' instead of 'recent', suggesting a fresh investigation.

an up-to-date study

Replaces 'inquiry' with 'study' and 'recent' with 'up-to-date', highlighting the currency of the study.

a just-concluded investigation

Specifies the 'inquiry' is now complete, providing a sense of resolution.

a modern investigation

Focuses on the modern nature of the investigation.

an immediate review

Highlights the immediacy of the 'review' over an 'inquiry'.

a timely probe

Emphasizes the opportune or well-timed nature of the 'probe'.

a preliminary study

Indicates that the study is an early or initial one.

FAQs

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

You can use "a recent inquiry" to refer to a question or investigation that has taken place not long ago. For example: "Following "a recent inquiry" into the company's practices, several changes have been proposed to improve transparency."

What can I say instead of "a recent inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "a current investigation", "a new probe", or "a preliminary study" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a recent inquiry" or "a recent investigation"?

Both "a recent inquiry" and "a recent investigation" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Inquiry" suggests a formal question or investigation, while "investigation" implies a more thorough and systematic examination.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a recent inquiry"?

The phrase "a recent inquiry" is appropriate when referring to a question or investigation that happened in the near past and is relevant to the current discussion. It implies that the information or findings from the inquiry are still timely and applicable.