an object of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"an object of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the subject or topic of an investigation or examination. For example: "The mysterious disappearance of a local businessman has become an object of inquiry for the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Indeed, so fertile is this idea, so appealing is it as an object of inquiry, we may even speak of a distinct category of recent books devoted to elaborations of it.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes a structuring limit to human endeavor, at others an obstacle to be overcome, or a profitable resource upon which to be capitalized, cold served both as a phenomenological reality and increasingly as an object of inquiry and exchange in the imperial world of the nineteenth century.

Columbia University

As context, Dr. Wetsel shared that students in Photography and Anthropology consider how anthropologists have treated photographs both as an object of inquiry and a means of communicating their findings.

Duke University

However, this state of affairs is not due to any inherent irrelevance of the category to Victorian poetry, but rather to the history of organic form's constitution as an object of inquiry.

Johns Hopkins University

In order for there to be an object of inquiry, there must be regularities in production and exchange; and for the inquiry to be non-trivial, these regularities must go beyond what is obvious to the producers, consumers, and exchangers themselves.

SEP

Against Kant's claims about a noumenal realm of things as they are in themselves, Maimon holds that the thing in itself stands only as an object of inquiry, rather than an independent, noumenal entity: in a letter he notes that the thing in itself is "nothing other than the complete cognition of appearances.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Furthermore, many of the same methodologists and historians have argued that economics is not only an object of social inquiry, but that it can be a tool of social inquiry.

SEP

The governor also said that federal investigators had assured him that he was not an object of their inquiry.

The New York Times

Experts from the hard sciences, like evolutionary biology and cognitive neuroscience, joined anthropologists and psychologists in the study of religion, making God an object of scientific inquiry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though hardly exhaustive, this list will provide the reader with a sense of how the study of political Islam in major publications either written or available in English as an object of academic inquiry has evolved over the years.

Cornell University

We will consider, in the conference, the corpse anthropologically, theoretically, and through the visual and literary arts to engage it as an object of serious inquiry.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an object of inquiry", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being investigated or examined. For instance, specify the field of study or the nature of the investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "an object of inquiry" in contexts where simpler, more direct language would suffice. Overusing formal phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an object of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific subject or area that is under investigation or examination. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an object of inquiry" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the subject of an investigation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's particularly fitting in academic and scientific writing, highlighting its formal register. While it may not be the most common phrase, with its frequency classified as 'Uncommon', understanding its function and purpose can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing. It is advisable to opt for simpler, direct language when possible. Its alternatives include phrases such as "a subject of investigation" or "a topic of research".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subject of investigation

Replaces "inquiry" with "investigation", emphasizing a more formal or structured examination.

a topic of research

Substitutes "object" with "topic" and "inquiry" with "research", framing it within a research-oriented context.

an area of study

Focuses on the field or domain being examined, rather than the specific item.

a focus of analysis

Highlights the analytical aspect of the examination, emphasizing a detailed and critical evaluation.

a matter for consideration

Presents the subject as something that requires thoughtful attention and evaluation.

an issue under scrutiny

Indicates that the subject is being carefully examined, often with a critical or skeptical eye.

a point of examination

Highlights a particular detail of something being explored and inspected.

something to be explored

Emphasizes the aspect of wanting to know more about a subject, to discover new things about it.

the subject at hand

Highlights the immediateness and pertinence of the issue.

something under investigation

Highlights the process of formal and systematic examination or research.

FAQs

How can I use "an object of inquiry" in a sentence?

Use "an object of inquiry" to refer to something being studied or investigated. For example, "The causes of climate change are now "a subject of investigation" for scientists worldwide".

What are some alternatives to "an object of inquiry"?

You can use phrases like ""a subject of investigation"", "a topic of research", or "an area of study" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "object of inquiry" or "subject of inquiry"?

Both "object of inquiry" and "subject of inquiry" are grammatically correct, but they can have slightly different connotations. "Object" emphasizes the thing being examined, while "subject" emphasizes the theme or topic. Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

In what contexts is "an object of inquiry" most appropriate?

"An object of inquiry" is typically used in formal academic, scientific, or analytical contexts where a specific subject is being scrutinized or investigated methodically. Prefer simpler wordings when the context is informal.