asking for an inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asking for an inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are requesting someone to conduct or initiate an investigation or examination into a particular matter. Example: "I am asking for an inquiry into the recent events that have raised concerns among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

president, has admitted that confidentiality was breached, calling it "regrettable" and asking for an inquiry.

The New York Times

And on Aug. 13, the Campaign Legal Center, another watchdog group, filed a complaint with the Commerce Department's inspector general asking for an inquiry.

The Washington Post

Jenny Jones has written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission asking for an inquiry into what she says appears to be "serious misconduct".

The Guardian

"We'll also write to the chair of the education select committee [Graham Stuart] asking for an inquiry to check the level of asbestos in schools.

The Guardian

The R.N.C. wrote a letter to the General Accountability Office asking for an inquiry into whether Mr. Obama might be using taxpayer resources for what are effectively campaign events.

The New York Times

The company issued an open letter to the United States government in February 2011, asking for an inquiry to clear up what it characterized as misperceptions about its history and business operations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The secretary of state for education has asked for an inquiry relating to this case over the weekend.

The Guardian

Home Secretary Theresa May admitted in a letter three years ago to Sir Robert, who had asked for an inquiry, that "international relations" were a factor in the decision.

Independent

Earlier this month, members of Congress from Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania asked for an inquiry into accusations that federal health officials were showing scientific bias and misallocating research money designated for Lyme research.

The New York Times - Science

I'd first written to the government, Tony Blair in fact, on July 12 2004 to ask for an inquiry to establish why these British citizens had been detained for four days in Italy without any contact from the British consulate there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Conyers asked for an inquiry after a Government Accountability Office report showed that Mr. Ashcroft's tour and Web site promoting the antiterrorism law involved 80 of the 93 United States attorneys.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "asking for an inquiry", ensure the context clearly indicates who is requesting the inquiry and what the subject of the inquiry should be. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply "asking for an inquiry" without specifying the scope or focus. For example, instead of "The public is asking for an inquiry", specify: "The public is asking for an inquiry into the government's handling of the crisis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asking for an inquiry" functions as a gerund phrase, typically acting as a noun. It describes the act of requesting a formal investigation. This can be observed across various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "asking for an inquiry" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express a request for a formal investigation. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is readily usable in written English. While the phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts, its register can range from neutral to professional depending on the specific setting. When employing this phrase, it's essential to clearly specify the subject and scope of the inquiry to avoid ambiguity. The analysis of real-world examples highlights the various contexts in which this phrase is appropriately used, making it a valuable tool for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting an investigation

This alternative uses a more formal term, "investigation", instead of "inquiry", implying a more structured and thorough examination.

seeking an investigation

Similar to "requesting an investigation", but with a slightly more proactive tone.

demanding an inquiry

This option implies a stronger stance, suggesting the speaker believes an inquiry is necessary and should be commenced.

calling for an investigation

This phrase is often used in public contexts, like news reports or press releases, to announce that someone is requesting an official investigation.

pressing for an inquiry

This suggests persistent effort to initiate an inquiry, indicating ongoing advocacy.

lodging a request for investigation

This is a very formal way of saying requesting, suitable for legal or official contexts.

petitioning for an inquiry

This implies a formal, often written, request presented to an authority.

soliciting an investigation

This alternative evokes a sense of earnestly seeking or asking for an investigation, possibly from a reluctant authority.

submitting a request for an inquiry

This implies a formal submission of a written request for an inquiry, often to an official body.

urgently seeking an inquiry

The inclusion of "urgently" emphasizes the immediate need for an inquiry due to pressing circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "asking for an inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "asking for an inquiry" when you want to express a request for a formal investigation or examination of a particular matter. For example: "Several citizens are "asking for an inquiry" into the recent financial irregularities".

What can I say instead of "asking for an inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "requesting an investigation", "calling for an inquiry", or "seeking an investigation", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "asking for an inquiry" or "asking for a inquiry"?

"Asking for an inquiry" is correct. The indefinite article "an" should be used before a noun that begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "asking for an inquiry" and "launching an inquiry"?

"Asking for an inquiry" means requesting that an investigation be initiated. "Launching an inquiry", on the other hand, means actually starting or commencing the investigation.