enquired about

USAGE SUMMARY

"enquired about" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate that someone has been inquiring into a topic or requesting information.
For example, "The manager enquired about the progress of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he enquired about their mothers.

The Guardian - Sport

After I enquired about this, it cancelled the booking.

Independent

The captain always enquired about an opposition player's well being.

The Guardian - Sport

A day after purchasing the house, Abdulla Ahmed Ali enquired about buying intruder detection cameras.

Independent

Half a dozen NFL teams enquired about him, but he chose Denver.

Independent

As of Wednesday he had enquired about six and got nowhere.

The Guardian - Sport

Many of these women have never worked before and haven't even enquired about work before.

The Guardian

Once there, Lomax - a trainspotter to the end - enquired about the gauge of tracking used for the dolly shot.

The Guardian - Film

We've not enquired about him.

BBC

Brendan Rodgers enquired about the French forward, 25, in January.

BBC

Some members of the public enquired about Prince George.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enquired about", ensure the context is appropriate for the level of formality you wish to convey. While generally suitable for formal or neutral contexts, consider "asked about" for more casual situations.

Common error

Avoid directly quoting someone using "enquired about" in dialogue. Instead, use direct questions or rephrase the dialogue. For example, instead of writing 'He said, "I enquired about the price"', use 'He asked, "What is the price?"' or 'He asked about the price'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enquired about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of seeking information or making an inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its standard use in various contexts, signaling its role in reporting questions or investigations. For example, 'She "enquired about" the details of the event'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enquired about" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote the act of seeking information, with Ludwig confirming its grammatical correctness and common usage. While more formal than "asked about", it maintains a neutral register suitable for news, scientific, and professional contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science", with related phrases including "asked about", "inquired into", and "sought information on". As Ludwig AI suggests, "enquired about" should be used to introduce questions and investigations while avoiding direct quotes in dialogue. Consider context when choosing between "enquired about" and alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asked about

Replaces "enquired" with the more common and informal "asked".

inquired into

Uses the phrasal verb "inquire into", which is slightly more formal than "enquired about".

questioned

A direct alternative, focusing on the act of asking questions.

made inquiries regarding

A more formal and elaborate way of saying "enquired about", suitable for professional contexts.

sought information on

Focuses on the act of seeking information rather than directly asking.

requested details concerning

Emphasizes the request for specific details, adding a layer of formality.

investigated

Suggests a more thorough and systematic inquiry than a simple question.

looked into

An informal alternative suggesting a casual investigation or inquiry.

probed into

Implies a deeper, more intrusive inquiry, often used in investigative contexts.

checked on

Suggests a simple inquiry to verify the status or condition of something.

FAQs

How can I use "enquired about" in a sentence?

"Enquired about" is used to indicate that someone has asked for information or made an inquiry. For example: "The customer "enquired about" the availability of the product" or "The detective "enquired about" the suspect's whereabouts".

What's the difference between "enquired about" and "asked about"?

"Enquired about" is a more formal way of saying "asked about". While both mean to seek information, "enquired" is often preferred in professional or official contexts.

Can I use "enquired about" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "enquired about" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using "asked about" for a more natural tone.

What are some alternatives to "enquired about" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases such as "inquired into", "made inquiries regarding", or "sought information on" as alternatives to "enquired about".