enquire

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enquire" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to ask for information. For example: "I will enquire about the availability of tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what Jonathan Routh preferred to do was to dress up as a tree, wait at a bus stop and enquire which bus would take him to Sherwood Forest.That was one of his easier japes.

The Economist

But its own internal report paints a much grimmer picture of complacency throughout its top management, which was told about growing problems with reserves, but chose not to enquire into them.

The Economist

The state comptroller an independent officer elected by the Knesset before being appointed by the president—is responsible only to the Knesset and is the auditor of the government's financial transactions and is empowered to enquire into the efficiency of its activities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It had the authority to enquire into the financial methods of the universities and to allocate grants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three principles emerge: to secure fair and equal distribution of available property among the creditors, to free the debtor from his debts, and to enquire into the reasons for his insolvency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a verbal assault in public space and the teacher has a right to enquire where they got the idea that it was OK to talk like that.

Independent

"Antibiotics?" they will enquire next, as if access to my medical records has become their divine right.

Independent

When I enquire if he now regrets the idea, his spokesman curiously insists: "There was never a champagne ban.

Independent

Bale has already said goodbye to AVB and his team-mates Spurs enquire after Mata An opening bid has been made for Christian Eriksen.

Independent

City have since dismissed the notion that Aguero could leave the Etihad, and Barcelona's vice president Josep Bartomeu has also spoken to stress that the club have no plans to enquire about Aguero's availability.

Independent

Rather than enquire what substances the chairman was on, Taylor accepted the outrageous challenge and met it in the space of six seasons, finishing second to Liverpool and defending his direct style against all-comers, as he continues to today: "If people think all we did was whack the ball and chase it, it must have been a very poor First Division!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enquire", consider the formality of the context. While acceptable in most situations, "ask" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "enquire" (to ask) with "require" (to need). They are spelled and pronounced similarly but have different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The verb "enquire" functions as a transitive or intransitive verb to indicate the act of seeking information or making a formal request. Ludwig examples showcase how it is used to introduce a question or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enquire" is a grammatically sound verb, commonly employed across diverse contexts to signify the act of seeking information or making an investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While "ask" serves as a more general alternative, "enquire" often conveys a more formal or official tone. Its usage is notably prevalent in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Remember to differentiate "enquire" from "require" to avoid confusion. This guide provides insights into its proper usage, related phrases, and common errors, aiding writers in effectively incorporating "enquire" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask

A more general and common term for seeking information.

inquire

A direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "enquire", though sometimes considered more formal.

make an inquiry

Nominalization of "enquire", expressing the action as a noun.

seek information

A more descriptive way of expressing the act of asking.

query

Suggests a formal question or doubt.

question

Similar to ask, but can imply doubt or skepticism.

investigate

Implies a more thorough and systematic examination.

look into

Suggests a focused examination of a particular matter.

check

To make an investigation or examination.

probe

Indicates a deeper, more penetrating inquiry.

FAQs

How to use "enquire" in a sentence?

You can use "enquire" to ask for information. For instance, "I will "ask" about the availability of tickets" or "She will "investigate" the matter further".

What can I say instead of "enquire"?

You can use alternatives like ""ask"", "inquire", or ""investigate"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enquire" or "inquire"?

"Enquire" and "inquire" are both correct and generally interchangeable. "Enquire" is more common in British English, while "inquire" is more common in American English.

What's the difference between "enquire" and "ask"?

"Enquire" is a more formal alternative to ""ask"", often used in professional or official contexts. In casual conversation, ""ask"" is generally preferred.