begin an inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin an inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate the start of an investigation or examination into a particular subject or issue. Example: "The committee decided to begin an inquiry into the recent allegations of misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

-- A revision in what's needed to begin an inquiry or a separation proceeding.

The Economist

The United Nations will also begin an inquiry into the security breach.

The New York Times

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board also arrived Friday to begin an inquiry into the accident's causes.

The New York Times

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch will begin an inquiry while a file is prepared for the coroner.

The Guardian

The committee of five Democrats and five Republicans said in a statement that it voted on Nov. 15 to begin an inquiry into Mr. Grimm's conduct.

The New York Times

Two copies were made, and McNamara said that he would use his set to begin an inquiry into the abuses that Schell had described.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The Justice Department began an inquiry in the spring of 2004.

The New York Times - Sports

The PAC begins an inquiry into DMI on Monday.

Independent

A lay committee has also begun an inquiry.

The New York Times

Columbia has begun an inquiry into the research.

The New York Times - Science

The justice select committee begins an inquiry on 11 June.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always clarify who is initiating the inquiry, this detail adds credibility and authority to the process described.

Common error

Avoid using "begin an inquiry" when a simple investigation is sufficient. Inquiry often implies a more formal or official process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin an inquiry" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a formal investigation or examination. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe the initial stage of a fact-finding process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "begin an inquiry" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the start of a formal investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news, business and scientific domains. While alternatives like "launch an investigation" or "initiate a probe" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject and initiator of the inquiry to maintain precision and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an investigation

Emphasizes a more formal and structured approach to finding facts.

open an inquiry

Another way to express the commencement of a formal questioning process.

initiate a probe

Suggests a deeper, more thorough examination of the matter.

start an investigation

A simpler and more direct way of saying "begin an inquiry".

commence an inquest

Implies a formal legal or official inquiry, often into a death.

set up an investigation

Highlights the act of establishing or organizing the inquiry.

undertake an examination

Focuses on a detailed review or study of a particular issue.

establish a commission of inquiry

Implies a more formal and official body is created to perform the inquiry.

look into

A more informal way to say investigate or examine.

delve into

Suggests a more in-depth and exploratory approach.

FAQs

How to use "begin an inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "begin an inquiry" to describe the start of a formal investigation. For example, "The committee decided to "begin an inquiry" into the allegations of misconduct".

What can I say instead of "begin an inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "launch an investigation", "start an investigation", or "initiate a probe" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "begin an inquiry" or "start an inquiry"?

Both "begin an inquiry" and "start an inquiry" are correct and have similar meanings. "Begin an inquiry" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "begin an inquiry" and "conduct an inquiry"?

"Begin an inquiry" refers to the start of the investigation, while "conduct an inquiry" refers to the entire process of carrying out the investigation.