initial enquiries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial enquiries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first questions or investigations made regarding a particular subject or issue. Example: "We have received initial enquiries about the new product launch and will respond to them shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Rice said that initial enquiries gave the suggestion of 'significant evidence of criminal activity'.

The Guardian - Sport

A spokesman said: "We have been made aware of this matter, and we are carrying out initial enquiries".

Independent

The ACO was unable to comment on any specifics of the investigation but Joubin believed it would be a swift process, if not one that had already been completed and that early indicators are that no blame will be attributed in the wake of initial enquiries on Saturday afternoon that suggest it will be classed as a racing incident.

The Guardian - Sport

The Health and Safety Executive said it was aware of the incident and making initial enquiries.

BBC

Leicestershire Police said initial enquiries suggest the car had been stolen from the Metropolitan Police force area.

BBC

He said initial enquiries indicate that a large group of young people were waiting to enter a disco.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It was that move that prompted an initial enquiry by the National Audit Office, which reported in early 2011.

The Guardian

Robin Mounsey, a spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority, said: "After reviewing the initial enquiry notice, the stewards considered that it didn't accurately reflect the reasoning behind the decision, so decided it should be altered".

The Guardian - Sport

When a shipowner makes an initial enquiry, he usually gives the shipbuilder four items of information: type of vessel, deadweight of the new ship, required service speed, route on which the new vessel will operate.

Ship Design and Performance for Masters and Mates

Such undergraduate courses at Maastricht University include business, medicine, arts and culture and law, and there is a team of teachers and UK students who look after British applicants from their initial enquiry onwards.

Independent

As Ms. Arundel spoke, the man who will make that decision, Rupert Murdoch, landed at an airport outside of London to deal with a crisis that, this week, is likely to broaden to examine the role of the Metropolitan Police in the handling an initial enquiry into phone hacking in 2006.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial enquiries" to describe steps that are preliminary or exploratory. This highlights that the process is in its early stages and further, more detailed, investigations may follow.

Common error

Avoid using "initial enquiries" when describing a thorough or complete investigation. The term specifically refers to the preliminary stage, not the entire process. Using it incorrectly can misrepresent the scope of the work done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial enquiries" functions primarily as a noun phrase, denoting the commencement of an investigative or information-gathering process. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes the preliminary phase of a broader investigation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial enquiries" is a noun phrase used to describe the beginning stage of an investigative or information-gathering process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic publications, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "preliminary investigations" and "early inquiries" exist, "initial enquiries" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the preliminary nature of an investigation. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear that these are the first steps in a broader process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary investigations

Focuses on the investigative aspect, implying a formal or official examination at the beginning.

early inquiries

Emphasizes the timing of the inquiries, highlighting that they occur at the beginning.

initial investigations

Similar to preliminary investigations but may imply a less formal or structured approach.

starting inquiries

Focuses on the action of beginning the process of asking questions or seeking information.

first questions

Highlights the act of asking the first set of questions in an investigation or information-gathering process.

early assessments

Focuses on evaluating or judging something at an early stage, often used in professional contexts.

initial probes

Suggests a tentative or exploratory investigation to discover initial information.

first stage of investigation

Emphasizes that it's the very beginning of a more extensive process.

opening questions

Highlights the questions used to start an inquiry or investigation, emphasizing the interrogative aspect.

initial assessment

Implies an evaluation or judgment made at the beginning of a process or investigation.

FAQs

What does "initial enquiries" mean?

The phrase "initial enquiries" refers to the first questions or investigations conducted to gather preliminary information about a particular matter. It signifies the beginning stage of a more comprehensive process.

What are some alternatives to "initial enquiries"?

You can use alternatives such as "preliminary investigations", "early inquiries", or "initial investigations" depending on the specific context.

How to use "initial enquiries" in a sentence?

Example: "The police are conducting "initial enquiries" to determine the cause of the incident." This indicates that the police are in the early stages of their investigation.

Is "initial enquiries" formal or informal?

The phrase "initial enquiries" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. However, it may be less appropriate for very informal settings.