an ongoing enquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing enquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a process of investigation or examination that is currently taking place and has not yet concluded. Example: "The committee is conducting an ongoing enquiry into the allegations of misconduct within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A cross-party statement from parliamentarians urged the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee to recommend a "rebalancing" of libel laws, which are the subject on an ongoing enquiry.

The Guardian

Indeed, the impact of social media spread online disinformation is also the topic of an ongoing enquiry by the UK parliament's DCMS committee which spent some five hours grilling Facebook's CTO last month.

TechCrunch

"Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours". The Ministry of Defence in London said the UK had decided to "pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing enquiry".

BBC

The UK's Electoral Commission, which oversees domestic election procedure and regulates campaign financing, has also written to social media companies asking them to investigate potential Russian Brexit meddling as part of an ongoing enquiry it's running into whether the use of digital ads and bots on social media might have broken existing political campaigning rules.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A UK parliamentary committee also has a wider ongoing enquiry into fake news — and its chair has been highly critical of Facebook and Twitter for failing to co-operate.

TechCrunch

A UK parliamentary committee also has a wider ongoing enquiry into fake news — and its chair has been highly critical of Facebook and Twitter for failing to co-operate.

TechCrunch

Cliff Richard has given his first interview to the BBC since the corporation filmed a police raid on his home, and described his new music as a tribute to the fans who have supported him during the ongoing enquiry into sex abuse claims.

Independent

The spokesperson also confirmed that Google and Twitter have both also provided information in response to its request they do so, to feed its ongoing enquiry into whether the use of digital ads and bots on social media might break existing political campaigning rules.

TechCrunch

An ongoing Dutch enquiry into term perinatal deaths shows that in 30% of cases substandard care factors are present (Bruinse 2008, personal communication).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The FA said: "Because of the emergence of significant new information the FA is currently not in a position to conclude its ongoing enquiries into... Malky Mackay and Iain Moody".

BBC

The team's ongoing enquiries lead them to visit a homeless shelter, where another horrific crime comes to light.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing enquiry", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the investigation or examination is currently in progress and has not yet reached a conclusion. Specify the subject of the enquiry for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing enquiry" when the investigation has already concluded or is just beginning. Ensure the enquiry is actively in progress for the phrase to be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing enquiry" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "enquiry". The adjective "ongoing" specifies that the enquiry is currently in progress. This phrase is typically used to describe a situation where an investigation or formal questioning is underway. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing enquiry" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an investigation or examination that is currently in progress. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. While relatively infrequent in general usage, the phrase commonly appears in news and media reporting, as well as scientific literature. The phrase conveys that a particular matter is under active review and has not yet reached a conclusion. For alternative phrasing, one might consider "a current investigation" or "an active inquiry" to express a similar meaning. When using "an ongoing enquiry", clarity is key: it's best to specify the subject of the investigation for better understanding. Despite its relatively low frequency, "an ongoing enquiry" remains a useful and accurate way to convey that a process of investigation is currently underway.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a current investigation

Replaces 'enquiry' with 'investigation' and 'ongoing' with 'current', emphasizing the present state of the investigation.

a continuing investigation

Uses 'continuing' instead of 'ongoing' to describe the state of the investigation.

an active inquiry

Substitutes 'enquiry' with 'inquiry' and 'ongoing' with 'active', keeping the meaning of an active investigation.

a live probe

Uses 'probe' as a synonym for 'enquiry' and 'live' for 'ongoing', suggesting an active and current investigation.

an open investigation

Replaces 'ongoing' with 'open', indicating that the investigation has not been closed or concluded.

an unsettled inquiry

Uses 'unsettled' to replace 'ongoing', suggesting that the inquiry is still in progress and unresolved.

a pending inquiry

Substitutes 'ongoing' with 'pending', indicating that the inquiry is waiting to be resolved.

a running investigation

Replaces 'ongoing' with 'running', implying continuous progress in the investigation.

a progressing enquiry

Substitutes 'ongoing' with 'progressing', highlighting the forward movement of the enquiry.

a developing investigation

Replaces 'ongoing' with 'developing', focusing on the evolution of the investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing enquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing enquiry" to describe a current investigation or examination. For example, "The police have "an ongoing enquiry" into the matter".

What phrases are similar to "an ongoing enquiry"?

Similar phrases include "a current investigation", "a continuing investigation", or "an active inquiry", which all convey the sense of an active investigation.

Is it correct to say "an ongoing enquiry"?

Yes, the phrase "an ongoing enquiry" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe an investigation that is currently in progress. According to Ludwig, it's correct and usable.

What is the difference between "an ongoing enquiry" and "a completed enquiry"?

"An ongoing enquiry" refers to an investigation that is still in progress, while "a completed enquiry" indicates that the investigation has been finished and its findings are available.