enquire into

USAGE SUMMARY

"enquire into" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of looking for information about something, often in an official or formal way. For example, "The police are currently conducting an enquiry into the disappearance of the diamond necklace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

So it might be an idea to enquire into the basis for his new anxiety.

The Guardian - Books

A committee of three, including John Milton, was established to "enquire into Professor Koch's discovery and report thereon".

Independent

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

To recall the treaty on borders and friendship is not to minimise Hitler's atrocious intentions, but rather to enquire into Stalin's role in helping or hindering their realisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We will enquire into the claims that are made and we take very seriously any allegation of poor standards on our part".

The Guardian - Sport

We would need to enquire into what is meant by various words and phrases – how far they are metaphorical, what metaphors might mean, how they could be interpreted in different ways, and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The report says Sawers told the committee that MI6 had no responsibility for enquiring into Adebolajo's claims.

The Guardian

The Stewards enquired into why there was a section of running rail missing about seven furlongs out.

The Guardian - Sport

The senior senator from New Mexico, Tom Udall, enquired into the status of Aamer after being lobbied by his supporters.

The Guardian

Such British officials as William Jones and Warren Hastings enquired into Indian religions, laws, customs, literature and art, inaugurating a British tradition of scholarship that was weakened considerably in the 19th century by men who shared Lord Macaulay's views of Indian learning.

The Guardian - Books

Kumarila, like Jaimini and Shabara, restricted Mimamsa to an investigation into dharma, whereas Prabhakara assigned to it the wider task of enquiring into the meaning of the Vedic texts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a more direct synonym like "investigate" or "look into" for simpler, less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "enquire into" in very casual conversations. It may sound overly formal or stilted. Instead, opt for phrases like "check out" or "look into" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enquire into" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "enquire" with the preposition "into" to create a meaning distinct from the individual words. As evidenced by Ludwig, it functions to indicate a process of asking questions and gathering information, particularly in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enquire into" is a phrasal verb used to denote a formal process of investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across diverse authoritative contexts such as Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias. While its formality makes it suitable for academic and professional settings, synonyms like "investigate" or "look into" may be more appropriate for casual conversations. Therefore, consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing "enquire into".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate

More direct and often implies a formal or official examination.

look into

More informal and suggests a less rigorous examination.

examine

Implies a detailed inspection or scrutiny.

explore

Suggests a broad and open-ended investigation.

research

Systematic investigation to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

probe

Implies a deep and thorough investigation, often into sensitive matters.

delve into

Suggests an in-depth exploration, often uncovering hidden details.

study

Involves systematic application of knowledge with detailed analysis.

check out

Informal, indicating a quick or casual examination.

go into

Indicates a thorough explanation or discussion.

FAQs

How to use "enquire into" in a sentence?

Use "enquire into" when you want to express a formal investigation or inquiry. For example: "The committee will "enquire into" the allegations of misconduct."

What can I say instead of "enquire into"?

You can use alternatives like "investigate", "look into", or "examine" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enquire into" or "ask about"?

"Enquire into" implies a more formal and thorough investigation, while "ask about" is more casual and general. Use ""enquire into"" when a detailed inquiry is needed; otherwise, "ask about" is suitable.

What's the difference between "enquire into" and "investigate"?

"Enquire into" suggests a process of asking questions to gather information, while "investigate" implies a more systematic and thorough examination of facts to discover the truth.