by inquiring

USAGE SUMMARY

"by inquiring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of asking questions or making inquiries. For example, "She found out the answer by inquiring with experts on the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ferry decided to bypass the Reich bureaucracy by inquiring in Salzburg about possible Austrian locations.

The New York Times

Funkmaster Flex began by inquiring if Mr. West had had any private conversations with Ms. Swift after the incident.

The New York Times

I start by inquiring after his health and general condition, then report some news about relatives or friends.

The New Yorker

Sergeants are encouraged to pry into soldiers' personal lives by inquiring about the health of their marriages and the state of their finances.

The New York Times

Melanie, the shyest of the three, ended her pedicure sessions by inquiring, like a peppy travel agent, "Have you thought about taking your holiday in Fiji?

The New Yorker

Why We Chose It: This teacher makes Prohibition and Progressivism relevant for students by inquiring into their own viewpoints about the government's role in regulating citizens' health.

The New York Times

Leo flatters the young man by inquiring after the progress of his work, while Sofya quizzes him on the state of his love life.

The New York Times

Perhaps they can be found by inquiring with someone in the marketing, design, or usability department.

Effective Prototyping for Software Makers

It does so by inquiring into the limits that the accountable self faces when giving an account.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

By inquiring into the bases or criteria for constructing difference, the boundary perspective veers away from reifying and essentialising group identity (Madianou 2005).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

This article develops such an approach by inquiring into the ways in which state spatialities and forms of citizenship are reconstituted in health care reforms.

Geoforum

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by inquiring" to clearly indicate that information is being gathered through asking questions or making a formal inquiry. This construction adds precision to your writing, specifying the method of information retrieval.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the actor doing the inquiring is unclear. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is "inquiring" to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by inquiring" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective, indicating the method or means by which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by inquiring" is a versatile prepositional phrase commonly used to specify the method of gathering information through questioning or investigation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal scientific reports to news articles. While "by inquiring" maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone, you can enhance clarity by ensuring that the subject performing the inquiry is clearly stated. Remember to consider synonyms like "through questioning" or "by consulting" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by questioning

Highlights the direct act of posing questions to gather details.

through asking

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same concept.

through questioning

Focuses on the method of questioning as the means of obtaining information, rather than the act of inquiring.

by consulting

Implies seeking advice or information from an expert or knowledgeable source.

by probing

Implies a more in-depth and persistent inquiry.

via investigation

Emphasizes a more formal and structured approach to finding information.

through research

Highlights a systematic investigation as the method of acquiring knowledge.

through examination

Suggests a detailed and careful inspection to uncover information.

in seeking information

Shifts the focus to the active pursuit of information, rather than the method.

by interrogating

Suggests a formal or even aggressive questioning to get to the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "by inquiring" in a sentence?

You can use "by inquiring" to describe the method of gathering information, such as "The detective solved the case "by inquiring" with witnesses".

What are some alternatives to "by inquiring"?

Alternatives include "through questioning", "by questioning", or "by consulting", depending on the specific context.

Is there a more formal way to say "by inquiring"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "via investigation" or "through examination", which suggest a more structured and thorough approach.

What's the difference between "by inquiring" and "by asking"?

"By asking" is a more general term, while ""by inquiring"" often implies a more formal or investigative approach to seeking information. However, they can often be used interchangeably.