informal inquiries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "informal inquiries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to casual or unofficial questions or investigations, often in a context where formal procedures are not required. Example: "If you have any informal inquiries about the project, feel free to reach out to me directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A10 NATIONAL A11-13 U.S. Officials Inquire Into Library Reading Law enforcement officials have made at least 200 formal and informal inquiries to libraries for information on reading material and other internal matters since October 2001, according to a new study that adds grist to the growing debate in Congress over the government's counterterrorism powers.

The New York Times

"I didn't have the right to make informal inquiries" in Italy, she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We will continue to keep all such informal inquiries that we might receive from individuals outside our membership confidential".

The New York Times - Sports

Sukachev, the lawyer, believes Lekhanov's death and his mother's informal inquiries resulted in an unplanned internal review of both cases.

The Guardian

Genzyme has also received informal inquiries about talks from other drug makers, including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, one of the people briefed on the matter said.

The New York Times

Along with putting out informal inquiries, most participating museums have created small advisory boards, he said, to bring art historians like Mr. Naumann on board.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The company also informed investors that an informal inquiry into the matter was being conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (AP) — Amgen said Wednesday that it had received an informal inquiry from the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking more information about a Danish study of the company's Aranesp anemia drug.

The New York Times

The Securities and Exchange Commission initiated an "informal inquiry" while the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena requesting information related to the arthritis drug, which was pulled by Merck after it was determined it increased the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Forbes

Less than two weeks before that, the SEC had reportedly launched an "informal inquiry," into a number of industry firms by sending them letters requesting information on how they value the companies they invest in.

Huffington Post

The S.E.C. has begun an informal inquiry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "informal inquiries" when you want to emphasize the casual and unofficial nature of the information-gathering process. This suggests a less rigid and more exploratory approach compared to formal investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "informal inquiries" when the context requires a more structured and official approach. Ensure that the situation doesn't necessitate formal protocols or legal procedures, as this could undermine the credibility of the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "informal inquiries" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It refers to requests for information that are not part of an official or structured process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "informal inquiries" denotes casual or unofficial requests for information, often used in contexts where formal procedures are not required. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While not as frequent as other similar phrases, its meaning is well-established and consistently applied. When considering related alternatives, options like "casual inquiries" or "unofficial inquiries" may provide a similar nuance depending on the intended emphasis. It's essential to differentiate "informal inquiries" from "formal investigations" to avoid misrepresenting the nature and scope of the information-gathering process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual inquiries

Replaces "informal" with "casual", emphasizing the relaxed nature of the inquiries.

unofficial inquiries

Substitutes "informal" with "unofficial", highlighting the lack of formal procedure.

preliminary investigations

Focuses on the initial stage and exploratory nature of the inquiries.

initial inquiries

Highlights the starting point of the information-gathering process.

exploratory questions

Emphasizes the investigative aspect using the term "exploratory" to show fact finding.

off-the-record inquiries

Indicates that the inquiries are not part of any official record.

private inquiries

Suggests that the inquiries are conducted discreetly and not publicly.

low-key investigations

Replaces "informal" with "low-key", suggesting a subtle approach.

personal inquiries

Implies that the inquiries are made for individual or subjective reasons.

routine checks

Indicates a standard or regularly performed set of inquiries.

FAQs

How can I use "informal inquiries" in a sentence?

"Informal inquiries" are often used when someone is gathering preliminary information without initiating a formal process. For example, "The company received several "informal inquiries" about potential job openings."

What's the difference between "informal inquiries" and "formal investigations"?

"Informal inquiries" are casual requests for information, while "formal investigations" are structured and official processes, often involving legal or regulatory oversight.

What can I say instead of "informal inquiries"?

You can use alternatives like "casual inquiries", "unofficial inquiries", or "preliminary investigations" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "informal inquiries" versus "formal requests"?

"Informal inquiries" are suitable for initial fact-finding or gauging interest, while "formal requests" are necessary when you need official documentation or a legally binding response.