commence an inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commence an inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when initiating a formal investigation or examination into a matter or issue. Example: "The committee decided to commence an inquiry into the allegations of misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a fitting metaphor with which to commence an inquiry into how effectively the law can protect those who have the least access to legal institutions.

Columbia University

The Bureau of Prisons will commence an inquiry into how Saul Berenson managed to bring a picnic buffet into a high-security prison to serve al-Qaeda operative Aileen Morgan, but didn't bring enough food for everyone.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not until a federal grand jury commenced an inquiry into the matters which we have sketched does it appear that any Chevrolet dealer resumed its business association with the discounters.

Cornell University

Deans of the most prestigious law schools in the country demanded that Congress commence an impeachment inquiry.

The Washington Post

It had also commenced an independent inquiry and reported itself to the World Bank, the federal police, and the Asian Development Bank.

The Guardian

"With reference to these data breaches, including the breach in question, we have this week commenced a statutory inquiry examining Facebook's compliance with the relevant provisions of the GDPR," a spokesman said.

The Washington Post

With reference to these data breaches, including the breach in question, we have this week commenced a statutory inquiry examining Facebook's compliance with the relevant provisions of the GDPR".

TechCrunch

He directed that an inquiry commence as soon as possible.

The Washington Post

They promised an inquiry.

Independent

Health officials demanded an inquiry.

The New York Times

It seemed like an inquiry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "commence an inquiry", ensure the scope and objectives of the inquiry are clearly defined from the outset to maintain focus and efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "commence an inquiry" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "start an investigation" or "look into" are more appropriate for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commence an inquiry" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a formal investigation or examination. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for formal contexts. Examples show its use in legal and academic settings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commence an inquiry" is a formal phrase used to denote the start of an investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal settings. While less common in everyday language, its precision makes it valuable in professional contexts. Alternatives like "initiate an investigation" or "begin an inquiry" offer varying degrees of formality. When using "commence an inquiry", ensure clarity and formality are maintained, as it's most at home in academic, legal, or official communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initiate an investigation

Emphasizes the start of a formal investigative process, similar in formality.

Begin an investigation

A more straightforward and less formal way to express starting an investigation.

Launch an inquiry

Implies a more public or official start to the inquiry.

Start an inquiry

A simpler and more direct way to say "commence an inquiry".

Undertake an investigation

Focuses on the act of carrying out the investigation.

Set in motion an inquiry

Emphasizes the action of starting the inquiry process.

Open an investigation

Highlights the opening or initiation of a formal investigation.

Instigate an inquiry

Suggests prompting or initiating an inquiry, possibly due to a specific event.

Embark on an inquiry

Implies a determined or committed start to the inquiry process.

Look into

An informal way to say start investigating, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

What does "commence an inquiry" mean?

The phrase "commence an inquiry" means to begin or start a formal investigation or examination into a particular matter or issue. It's often used in official or legal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "commence an inquiry"?

It's most appropriate to use "commence an inquiry" in formal settings, such as official reports, legal documents, or academic papers. In less formal contexts, alternatives like "begin an investigation" or "start an inquiry" may be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "commence an inquiry"?

Some alternatives include "initiate an investigation", "launch an inquiry", "start an investigation", or simply "look into" depending on the level of formality required.

Is there a difference between "commence an inquiry" and "begin an inquiry"?

While both phrases have similar meanings, "commence an inquiry" is generally considered more formal than "begin an inquiry". The choice between them often depends on the context and the desired tone.