foreign inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving questions or investigations related to foreign matters or entities. Example: "The government launched a foreign inquiry to investigate the recent trade agreements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He said the foreign exchange inquiry would take until next year to complete.

The Guardian - Business

UBS said on Monday it would continue to take "appropriate action" over personnel in connection with the foreign exchange inquiry.

BBC

At that time, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce was making a special effort to solicit foreign trade inquiries.

Huffington Post

Reacting to news that William Schabas, a Canadian professor of international law, has been appointed by the UN human rights council to head the inquiry, foreign ministry official Paul Hirschson said "the odds are we won't be cooperating with the inquiry.

Independent

Daniel Kawczynski, the Tory MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Saudi Arabia, says the row over the foreign affairs committee inquiry has been "extremely unhelpful and damaging" to relations between the two countries.

The Guardian

The Sunday Times said the US had secretly advised the executive it preferred to release Megrahi on compassionate grounds rather than jail him in Libya, a claim apparently championed by SNP politicians trying to fend off a US Senate foreign relations committee inquiry into his release.

The Guardian

I called the foreign office media inquiries desk, which had no idea and referred me to his parliamenatry office.

The Guardian

A14 State of the Inquiries FOREIGN INTERCEPTS -- The United States and its allies are still intercepting communications among Osama bin Laden's associates and are convinced more attacks are coming.

The New York Times

Previously, the government could seek FISA surveillance on a subject if the purpose of the inquiry was foreign intelligence.

The New Yorker

As a result, the London mayor Sadiq Khan last week launched an inquiry into foreign investment in the city's housing market.

The Guardian - Opinion

Australian politicians have voted for an inquiry into foreign investment which is due to report in June.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foreign inquiry", clearly define the scope and objectives of the inquiry to avoid ambiguity. Specify the countries or entities involved and the specific issues being investigated.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign inquiry" without providing context. Ensure the reader understands which foreign entities are involved and the nature of the inquiry. For example, specify "a foreign inquiry into election interference" rather than simply "a foreign inquiry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to an official investigation concerning foreign entities, activities or policies. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign inquiry" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an investigation related to foreign entities or affairs. Due to the limited amount of real world examples, Ludwig determined that the phrase appears to be missing from common usage. While grammatically sound, it's essential to provide clear context when using this phrase to specify the focus and scope of the investigation. Alternatives like ""international investigation"" or "overseas investigation" can be used depending on the specific context. Providing specific details prevents misunderstandings and maintains clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

international investigation

Focuses on the involvement of multiple nations.

overseas investigation

Highlights the geographic location of the investigation.

cross-border inquiry

Emphasizes the investigation's scope across national boundaries.

external investigation

Focuses on the investigation being conducted by an outside entity.

international probe

Uses "probe" as a synonym for inquiry, suggesting a more focused investigation.

international fact-finding mission

Emphasizes the gathering of information and evidence.

global investigation

Emphasizes the global scope of the investigation.

transnational investigation

Similar to cross-border, but emphasizes the interconnectedness of the investigation.

foreign investigation

Highlights the involvement of a foreign entity.

global fact-finding mission

Emphasizes the fact-finding nature on a global scale.

FAQs

How to use "foreign inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign inquiry" to describe an investigation initiated by a foreign entity or related to foreign affairs. For example: "The government launched a "international investigation" into the matter."

What can I say instead of "foreign inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like ""international investigation"", "overseas investigation", or "cross-border inquiry" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "foreign inquiry" or "domestic inquiry"?

Both "foreign inquiry" and "domestic inquiry" are correct, but they refer to different scopes. "Foreign inquiry" relates to international matters, while "domestic inquiry" refers to internal or national affairs.

What's the difference between "foreign inquiry" and "international investigation"?

While similar, "foreign inquiry" emphasizes the foreign aspect of the investigation, whereas ""international investigation"" suggests a broader scope involving multiple nations or international bodies.