a small enquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small enquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to ask a brief or minor question or seek information on a specific topic. Example: "I have a small enquiry regarding the meeting schedule for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It already has a small enquiry under way, triggered by questions about how firms were booking reserves in the deep waters of America's Gulf of Mexico.Investors, too, may demand greater transparency.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sandy Lawrie, head of novel foods at the UK's Food Standards Agency, says they encourage companies to come to them with information about what they've developed, but so far there have only been a "small number of enquiries" from companies developing new foods using nanotechnology.

The Guardian

"Still, a small majority of surveyors reported that new buyer enquiries fell in August, according to Rics – the fifth consecutive month of declining demand.

The Guardian - Money

The evidence presented here would suggest that the teaching of EBM within an Asian environment should adopt a format that facilitates both the acquisition of knowledge and encourages enquiry, comprising a prefacing lecture followed by a small group PBL session.

BMC Medical Education

Although the salmon driftnet fishery has now been banned, there is still reported to be a small mackerel driftnet fishery operating in the northern North Sea or Skagerrak (A. Bjorge pers. comm)., but enquiries on this fishery have proved fruitless.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

This is because the cost to the bank of making the enquiries necessary to enforce compliance is higher than the benefit or "profit potential" of keeping a customer with a small bank balance.

The New York Times

The study was advertised in local newspapers in the 3 centres, in a few workplaces and in a small advertisement on the health page of The Listener (a popular national magazine) over July/August 2011.This advertising and word of mouth returned a good response rate (> 350 enquiries) with enquiries mainly to participate in the dietary intervention rather than the negative control study (Group C).

BMC Public Health

A Task can be an Action, an Enquiry, a Decision or a Plan.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

A stewards' enquiry was called.

The Guardian - Sport

Firstly, it is now a murder enquiry.

Independent

A labor enquiry: "Dear Graham, Very Good Evening!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small enquiry", ensure the context clarifies the scope and intent of the enquiry, especially if brevity is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "a small enquiry" when the investigation or question is more extensive than implied. Choose terms that accurately reflect the complexity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small enquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "enquiry". It is often used to describe an initial or limited investigation into a matter, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small enquiry" is a versatile phrase used to denote a brief or limited investigation. Grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, especially in news and science, it indicates an initial examination of limited scope. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Remember to choose terms that accurately reflect the complexity of the situation. Consider alternatives such as "a minor investigation" or "a brief inquiry" for nuanced expression. The phrase "a small enquiry" is considered correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor investigation

Emphasizes the limited scope of the investigation.

a brief inquiry

Highlights the short duration or limited depth of the inquiry.

a short investigation

Emphasizes the limited duration of the investigative process.

a limited probe

Suggests a focused and restricted examination.

a preliminary investigation

Indicates that the enquiry is an initial step.

a cursory examination

Implies a quick and superficial review.

a light investigation

Implies a less formal or rigorous investigation.

a simple question

Focuses on the straightforward nature of the question being asked.

a minor query

Uses a synonym for "enquiry" to convey a similar meaning.

a basic enquiry

Highlights the fundamental or uncomplicated nature of the enquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "a small enquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "a small enquiry" to describe a brief investigation or a minor question. For example, "The company initiated a small enquiry to address the customer's complaint."

What are some alternatives to "a small enquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor investigation", "a brief inquiry", or "a simple question", depending on the context.

Is "a small enquiry" formal or informal?

"A small enquiry" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using "a preliminary investigation" or a similar phrase.

What's the difference between "a small enquiry" and "a large enquiry"?

"A small enquiry" implies a limited scope, while "a large enquiry" suggests a more extensive and detailed investigation. The choice depends on the scale of the issue being addressed.