be inquired if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be inquired if" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may lead to confusion. Example: "It should be inquired if the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe someone should be inquiring if our garbage will be acceptable to our Louisiana neighbors.

The New York Times

When it was inquired if any Belgians were to be evacuated, Pownall was reported to have replied, "We don't care a bugger what happens to the Belgians".

Wikipedia

But, as one might expect in this most bustling of cities, there was no time to meditate on time and distance, for a red limousine had already drawn up at the curb and a Chinese man, my wife explained, was inquiring if we were the Winchesters from London, and if so welcome, and would we care to be driven across the Hong Kong island, and to taste the delights of the East?

The New York Times - Magazine

The following questions were inquired: (i) If their child had any of the listed symptoms of inattention that have persisted for at least six months, symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity that had persisted for at least six months to a degree that was inconsistent with their developmental level.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

I'm inquiring to determine if that includes heat production.

Forbes

"Do you sit down to dinner together every night?" she had asked her divorcing sons in a low voice, as if she were inquiring about their sex lives.

The New Yorker

If you are inquiring about the Research Training Program in Sleep, Circadian and Respiratory Neurobiology, please contact the Training Program Administrator directly at: [email protected]

Harvard University

"If they are inquiring at an academic institution that is going to expect them to be writing in proper English, they should treat it as if it's a formal letter".

The New York Times

Mere strangers, within moments of meeting- or not- immediately ask about our personal plans as if they're inquiring about the weather.

HuffPost

And if you're inquiring into the dance, then it's mostly likely you will need to examine both partners," he says. . Gerard de Valence, a senior lecturer from The University of Technology, Sydney, made similar comments to VICE.

Vice

A possible exception, however, would be if you are inquiring about the brands of gin or vodka available.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be inquired if" in formal writing. Opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives such as "be asked whether" or "be questioned about."

Common error

Using "be inquired if" often results from trying to construct a passive sentence incorrectly. Ensure that the passive voice is used with appropriate auxiliary verbs and that the sentence clearly conveys who is doing the inquiring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be inquired if" is typically intended to introduce an indirect question within a passive construction. However, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward in modern English. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase does not follow standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be inquired if" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this by identifying it as an uncommon and potentially confusing expression. It's advisable to use more direct and grammatically sound alternatives such as "be asked whether" or "be questioned about" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing. Due to its infrequency and grammatical issues, avoid using this phrase in formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be asked whether

Replaces "inquired if" with "asked whether", providing a more direct and grammatically sound question structure.

be questioned about

Focuses on the act of questioning regarding a specific topic, replacing "inquired if" with a clearer prepositional phrase.

be investigated whether

Emphasizes a formal investigation, substituting "inquired if" with "investigated whether" for a more serious tone.

be determined if

Highlights the goal of finding an answer or solution, replacing "inquired if" with "determined if" to show a resolution-oriented approach.

be checked to see if

Suggests a verification process, replacing "inquired if" with a phrase that implies confirming a condition.

be ascertained whether

Uses a more formal verb "ascertained" to indicate finding something out for certain, replacing "inquired if" for a sophisticated tone.

be examined to know if

Indicates a detailed examination or analysis, replacing "inquired if" with a phrase highlighting thorough investigation.

be explored whether

Suggests an exploratory approach to the question, replacing "inquired if" with a phrase indicating discovery.

be looked into whether

Implies a casual investigation, replacing "inquired if" with a phrasal verb suggesting a less formal inquiry.

be researched to learn if

Focuses on gathering information through research, replacing "inquired if" with a phrase emphasizing knowledge acquisition.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase a question using "inquire" in the passive voice?

Instead of saying "be inquired if", it's more grammatically sound to use phrases like "be asked whether" or "be questioned about". These alternatives provide clarity and adhere to standard English grammar.

Are there situations where "be inquired if" is acceptable?

No, "be inquired if" is generally considered incorrect in standard written English. It's always better to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "be asked if" or "be questioned whether" to avoid confusion and maintain clarity.

How can I improve my sentence structure when using "inquire"?

Focus on constructing active voice sentences where possible. For example, instead of "It was inquired if...", try "Someone inquired whether..." or "They inquired if...". This makes your writing more direct and easier to understand.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the word "inquire"?

A common mistake is using "inquire" in awkward passive constructions like "be inquired if". Ensure that your sentences are clear, concise, and grammatically correct by choosing alternative phrasing.