enquire of

USAGE SUMMARY

'Enquire of' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English, meaning to ask someone for information or to find something out.
An example sentence would be: I decided to enquire of the local library to find out more information.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So, why did I have to be so churlish as to enquire of our guide: "How many canal boats, exactly, have used this since it was all opened in 2002?" She had the figure at her tongue-tip: 4,000.

Independent

Elicitations may remind learners of shared knowledge or enquire of their individual learner knowledge.

Functional Linguistics

"No approach has been made to enquire of the services of any of our players or staff at this time," said the Bluebirds in a statement.

BBC

This approach will now be discussed under these four sub-headings: · Pre-observation meeting · Observation · Post observation feedback · Reflection Prior to the observations, a pre-observation meeting was held to clarify the process and enquire of the teacher what they required from the review and to establish the context of the teaching event.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Pam Ayres?" she enquired of Mr Rawnsley.

The Guardian - Books

"Is there piss in that cup?" she enquires of someone in the front row.

The Guardian - Music

What did all of us think, a gentleman near the front politely enquired, of the idea of tweeting during shows?

The Guardian

"Why does a girl shorten her name to a sound?" Katharina enquires of Mizi.

The New York Times - Arts

He gently enquires of the children if there are any who have not eaten that morning before coming to school.

The Guardian

"How much longer do I have to stay here?" he enquires of a nurse at one point.

The Guardian - Film

"Are you the seven dwarves?" she enquired of the little men with white beards and pointy hats.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enquire of" in formal writing contexts, where a slightly elevated tone is desired. It adds a touch of sophistication to your prose.

Common error

Avoid using "enquire of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "ask" or "check with" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enquire of" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating the act of seeking information or making a request from a person or entity. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig, which shows it used when someone is formally asking a question or requesting something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enquire of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to formally ask someone for information. Ludwig AI identifies it as acceptable and the usage examples illustrate its deployment across diverse sources. While "enquire of" might sound a bit formal for everyday conversation, it is appropriate in formal and scientific writings. Preferring more simple phrases is always a good decision. Consider alternatives like "ask someone" or "question someone" in less formal contexts to maintain a natural tone. Remember to leverage it when formality and sophistication are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask someone

More direct and less formal.

question someone

Implies a more formal or investigative tone.

make an inquiry to someone

More formal and emphasizes the act of seeking information.

request information from someone

More formal and emphasizes the act of requesting.

seek information from someone

Focuses on the acquisition of information rather than the act of asking.

find out from someone

More informal and emphasizes the discovery of information.

consult someone

Suggests seeking advice or expert opinion.

learn from someone

Implies gaining knowledge through instruction or experience.

check with someone

More casual and suggests a quick verification.

interview someone

Suggests a structured and formal questioning process.

FAQs

How to use "enquire of" in a sentence?

"Enquire of" is typically used when you want to ask someone for information in a formal way. For example, "I decided to "enquire of" the librarian about the history of the building."

What can I say instead of "enquire of"?

You can use alternatives like "ask someone", "question someone", or "make an inquiry to someone" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enquire of" or "enquire from"?

"Enquire of" is the correct prepositional phrase. "Enquire from" is not standard English.

Is "enquire of" too formal for everyday conversations?

Yes, "enquire of" is generally too formal for everyday conversations. Simpler options like "ask" or "check with" are usually more suitable.