basic inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental or simple question or investigation about a topic. Example: "Before we dive deeper into the subject, let's start with a basic inquiry into the main concepts involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Even the most basic inquiry soon turns out to be loaded.

The Guardian - Arts

For ordinary and less pallid members of the population, however, the question of the centenary is compounded by a more basic inquiry: Who, exactly, is Preston Sturges?

The New Yorker

On the right, as illustrated in a Heritage Foundation report on ways to cut President Obama's budget for the Energy Department, the philosophy seems to be to discourage all government spending on basic inquiry related to energy.

The New York Times

Defense lawyers succeeded in persuading Justice Joseph C. Teresi to read jurors the law of street encounters in New York, under which a police officer has the right to make a basic inquiry of a citizen.

The New York Times

I was the first person to conduct even the most basic inquiry into his life.

Vice

Imagine asking a candidate:: "How are you specifically going to make 'we the people' a political reality, and how are you going to give more voice and power to people like me over elected representatives like you?" Watch politicians squirm over this basic inquiry.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He failed to make the most basic inquiries to discover whether the children in his care could swim.

The Guardian

One doctor said Mr. Suharto had the communications skills of "a kindergartner" and took up to a minute to answer basic inquiries.

The New York Times

"Our grief is exacerbated by the failure of his employers at MI6 to take even the most basic inquiries as to his whereabouts and welfare, which any reasonable employer would have taken.

Independent

His decision was announced with such haste that the White House could not answer basic inquiries about how it would be carried out, including what would happen to openly transgender people on active duty.

The New York Times

The dead man's family said in a statement that their grief had been exacerbated by the failure of his employers at MI6 to make "even the most basic inquiries of his whereabouts and welfare" when he was absent from work for seven days.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basic inquiry" when you want to emphasize the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of a question or investigation. It's suitable when the focus is on the initial or fundamental aspects of a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "basic inquiry" when discussing intricate or highly specialized topics. In such cases, more precise terms like "detailed analysis" or "in-depth investigation" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic inquiry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig highlights its role in describing a fundamental question or initial investigation. The phrase combines an adjective ("basic") to describe the type of "inquiry".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic inquiry" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which describes a fundamental or simple question or investigation. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse sources, including News & Media and Science, with a neutral register. When employing "basic inquiry", ensure it aligns with the context's complexity; for specialized subjects, alternatives like "detailed analysis" may be more fitting. Ludwig's examples underscore its role in initiating a topic's exploration at a foundational level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple question

Focuses on the ease or lack of complexity of the question.

fundamental question

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the question.

initial investigation

Highlights the early stage of an investigative process.

preliminary inquiry

Stresses the introductory aspect of the inquiry.

elementary investigation

Underscores the basic or uncomplicated nature of the investigation.

introductory probe

Implies a brief and initial exploration of a topic.

rudimentary questioning

Emphasizes the simplicity and basic nature of the questions asked.

first step investigation

Focuses on the idea of beginning an investigation, with no previous steps taken.

primary assessment

Stresses the importance of establishing a base level comprehension of a certain topic or subject.

foundational analysis

The analysis seeks to find a clear and straightforward explanation of a specific subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "basic inquiry" to describe a simple question or investigation into a topic. For example, "The detective started with a "basic inquiry" to gather initial information about the case."

What are some alternatives to "basic inquiry"?

Alternatives to "basic inquiry" include "simple question", "preliminary inquiry", or "fundamental question". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "basic inquiry" formal or informal?

"Basic inquiry" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language. However, in highly technical or specialized settings, more precise terminology may be preferred.

What's the difference between "basic inquiry" and "in-depth investigation"?

"Basic inquiry" refers to a simple, initial exploration of a topic, while "in-depth investigation" implies a thorough and detailed examination. Use "basic inquiry" when the scope is limited and the questions are straightforward.