a significant inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an important or meaningful investigation or question in various contexts, such as research, academic discussions, or problem-solving scenarios. Example: "The researchers conducted a significant inquiry into the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

MacQuarrie would like to see a significant inquiry that would look at all aspects of how the justice system is failing sexual violence victims.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Besides the criminal investigation, an equally significant inquiry is under way, a possibly far-reaching administrative review of commanders' policies regarding detainees and of internal procedures in use at all of the prisons in Iraq that are controlled by occupation forces.

The New York Times

"What we are signaling to the fund world," the New York state attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, said, "is that board activity is going to be a subject of significant inquiry on our part.

The New York Times

His writing on the newspaper's blog, which contained real immersive reporting and significant inquiry, was also clear about what he believed to be true.

The New York Times

The investigation is the first significant inquiry undertaken by Andrew Hevesi, the new chairman of the Assembly's Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee.

The New York Times

Charles Bowsher, the former comptroller general and head of the General Accounting Office, said Mr. Herdman, in private practice, joined other accounting executives to fight every major effort for significant inquiries into auditor independence.

The New York Times

"Significant inquiries and searches have already been made as part of the investigation to trace Helen, and further searches at her home address in Royston and an address in Broadstairs in Kent are taking place," a spokesman for Hertfordshire police said.

The Guardian

Despite making significant inquiries, (quite understandable) no real stakeholders in large scale cloud systems were willing to test Varanus or participate in a manner which would yield publishable data.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Payne said the possibility it was a racially motivated attack was "a significant line of inquiry" and a large number of detectives were working on the case.

The Guardian

West Midlands Police is in the process of revisiting historic evidence and has said it will consider reopening the case if a significant line of inquiry emerges.

BBC

Not only were we seeing decent traffic for the ads, we were also starting to get a significant number of inquiries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a significant inquiry", ensure that the context clearly establishes the subject and scope of the inquiry. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what is being investigated.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant inquiry" when the matter being investigated is trivial or inconsequential. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where 'significant' modifies the noun 'inquiry'. It indicates that the inquiry is of considerable importance or consequence, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant inquiry" is a noun phrase denoting an important investigation or examination. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal communications. While the phrase is versatile, avoid overusing it in trivial contexts to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "a major investigation" or "an important examination" for subtle variations in meaning. Using "a significant inquiry" appropriately enhances the clarity and authority of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major investigation

Replaces "inquiry" with "investigation", emphasizing the investigative aspect.

a key investigation

Highlights the importance of the investigation using the word "key".

an important examination

Substitutes "inquiry" with "examination", highlighting the detailed inspection involved.

a consequential inquiry

Emphasizes the potential impact of the inquiry's findings.

an extensive inquiry

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the inquiry.

a substantial probe

Uses "probe" instead of "inquiry", suggesting a deeper and more thorough investigation.

a weighty inquiry

Uses "weighty" to emphasize the seriousness and importance of the inquiry.

a notable review

Replaces "inquiry" with "review", focusing on the evaluation aspect of the process.

a critical assessment

Emphasizes the importance of the evaluation by using "critical assessment".

a meaningful study

Replaces "inquiry" with "study", shifting the focus to a research-oriented approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant inquiry" to describe an important investigation or examination. For example, "The government launched "a significant inquiry" into the allegations of corruption."

What are some alternatives to "a significant inquiry"?

Alternatives include "a major investigation", "an important examination", or "a substantial probe" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a significant inquiry" or "an important inquiry"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a significant inquiry" often implies a deeper or more impactful investigation than "an important inquiry". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant inquiry"?

It is appropriate to use "a significant inquiry" when referring to an investigation or examination that is of considerable importance, consequence, or scale. This phrase is often used in formal or professional contexts such as news reports, academic papers, or legal documents.