enquire whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"enquire whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking a question to find out if something is true or not. Example: I need to enquire whether the package arrived at its destination on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

We have, therefore, to examine discursive-reason and the ordinary mental action upon objects of sense, and enquire whether these have the one seat with the affections and experiences, or perhaps sometimes the one seat, sometimes another.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hotel Banks is only a few months old and has had definite teething troubles - no TVs, a non-functioning café, no check-in after 8pm - so be sure to enquire whether these have been resolved before booking.

The Guardian - Travel

"I will not stop to enquire whether the period through which we are passing is one that permits the railing at death, and making it the subject of jokes", was a typically pompous review that especially pleased Berners.

The Guardian - Books

To imply that this worldly wisdom served merely to conceal his struggle is to miss what he was struggling for — which was, always, to "endeavour to see things as they are, and then enquire whether we ought to complain".

The New Yorker

Accordingly, the government contends that Hamdi has no basis for any challenge by petition for habeas except to his own status as an enemy combatant; and even that challenge may go no further than to enquire whether "some evidence" supports Hamdi's designation, if there is "some evidence," Hamdi should remain locked up at the discretion of the executive...

The New York Times

The ICC executive board discussed the issue at a meeting in Dubai on Wednesday, and its chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, said: "We are not satisfied with this appointment and we have written to tribunal chairman Michael Beloff QC to enquire whether this could be viewed as a breach against the terms of his suspended sentence".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Were we not enquiring whether the second place belonged to pleasure or wisdom?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I excitedly enquired whether Rob Smyth and Rob Bagchi might be there, and was met with a blank stare.

The Guardian - Sport

A scrupulous blogger enquires whether, in an unfamiliar and carefully created dystopian context, "Coal" might imply greater value than "Pearl"?

The Guardian - Books

Things got interesting when a young man ambled over and very reasonably enquired whether anyone had read the book.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pair have spent hours on TV, enduring hosts shouting about "hot zones", or enquiring whether terrorists might use Ebola.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enquire whether", ensure that the context warrants a formal tone. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "ask if" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual language within the same sentence as "enquire whether". Maintain a consistent level of formality to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enquire whether" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing an indirect question or a clause expressing doubt or uncertainty. It's used to politely and formally ask or investigate if something is the case. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

25%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enquire whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to introduce a question or express uncertainty, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in formal contexts such as science, news media, and academia, it serves to solicit information or initiate investigations. While "enquire whether" adds sophistication to writing, remember to balance formality and avoid mixing casual language within the same sentence. The phrases are the "investigate if", "determine whether", or "ask if". To enhance writing, always remember the context and audience when deciding between "enquire whether" and other simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine whether

Emphasizes the act of finding out a definite answer.

investigate if

Replaces "enquire" with "investigate", focusing on a more in-depth examination.

examine whether

Replaces "enquire" with "examine", highlighting a careful and detailed inspection.

ascertain if

Replaces "enquire" with "ascertain", implying a formal attempt to find something out.

look into whether

Suggests an examination of the details surrounding a situation.

check to see if

Uses a more informal tone, replacing "enquire" with "check to see".

explore if

Indicates an attempt to discover more about something.

find out if

A more direct and simple way of asking if something is true.

probe if

Suggests a thorough and often sensitive investigation.

ask if

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic form.

FAQs

How can I use "enquire whether" in a sentence?

Use "enquire whether" to introduce a question, especially in formal contexts. For example, "I need to enquire whether the package arrived at its destination on time" or "The manager will "enquire whether the report is ready"".

What are some alternatives to "enquire whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "ask if", "investigate if", or "determine whether" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "enquire whether" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "enquire whether" is generally more appropriate for formal or professional contexts. In informal conversations, simpler phrases like "ask if" or "find out if" are often preferred.

What is the difference between "enquire whether" and "ask if"?

"Enquire whether" is more formal and suggests a more thorough investigation, while "ask if" is a simpler, more direct way to pose a question. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.