a second inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a second inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional question or investigation following a first inquiry. Example: "After receiving the initial response, I felt the need to make a second inquiry to clarify some details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But a day later, a second inquiry came to light.

The New York Times

But he said a second inquiry would begin immediately into the culture, ethics and practices of the British press.

Independent

"I want to establish a second inquiry to begin at the earliest available opportunity, ideally now - this summer," he said.

Independent

The American findings set up a second inquiry to determine whether any American military personnel should be punished.

The New York Times

The chief constable of Avon and Somerset police agreed to set up a second inquiry into Andrew Chubb's death.

The Guardian

Following publication of the first report, EFA investigators have returned to the schools for a second inquiry.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

A third inquiry, by the city's Department of Investigation, those people said, is focused on a network of nonprofit groups Mr. Lopez controls.

The New York Times

A fourth inquiry, by the S.E.C., is examining Mr. Webster's work for U.S. Technologies, which is virtually insolvent and the subject of a criminal investigation.

The New York Times

A third inquiry was announced by the navy secretary, Ray Mabus, who ordered a "rapid review" of security at navy and marine corps installations.

The Guardian

Human rights campaigners criticized the decision not to establish a fourth inquiry, into the 1989 murder of a Roman Catholic lawyer, Patrick Finucane, because a former Protestant paramilitary is currently facing charges in the case.

The New York Times

The high court is considering whether to order a third inquiry into the activities of a secret military prison near Basra after receiving evidence of abuse by military interrogators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a formal investigation, use "a second inquiry" to clearly indicate that it follows a prior one. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "inquisition" in place of "inquiry", as "inquisition" implies a more aggressive and often biased investigation, whereas "inquiry" is generally more neutral and fact-finding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a second inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a formal investigation or questioning that occurs after a previous one. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a second inquiry" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts, to denote a follow-up investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples of its usage. When writing, ensure clarity and context, differentiating it from similar terms like "inquisition". For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "another investigation" or "a follow-up investigation" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

another investigation

Uses "investigation" instead of "inquiry", implying a more formal process.

a follow-up investigation

Specifies that the investigation is subsequent to a previous one.

a subsequent inquiry

Replaces "second" with "subsequent", indicating a later time or order.

an additional investigation

Emphasizes the addition of another investigation.

a further inquiry

Implies the continuation of the investigative process.

a renewed inquiry

Suggests that the inquiry is being started again or revived.

a parallel inquiry

Indicates an inquiry conducted alongside another.

a separate inquiry

Highlights the distinct nature of the inquiry from any others.

a new investigation

Emphasizes the initiation of an entirely new investigation.

a second look

Informal way to say that something needs to be inquired about again.

FAQs

How to use "a second inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "a second inquiry" to refer to another formal question or investigation, such as: "After the initial findings were inconclusive, the committee launched "a second inquiry" to gather more evidence".

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

Alternatives include "another investigation", "a follow-up investigation", or "a subsequent inquiry" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a second inquiry" or "another inquiry"?

Both "a second inquiry" and "another inquiry" are grammatically correct. "A second inquiry" specifically implies that there was a first one, while "another inquiry" simply means an additional inquiry, without necessarily implying a specific order.

What's the difference between "a second inquiry" and "a second investigation"?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but "inquiry" can sometimes suggest a more formal or official nature. Thus, depending on the context, using "a second investigation" might be perfectly equivalent or less appropriate.