initial inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial inquiry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the first round of questioning or investigation into a particular topic or issue. You can use it when discussing a process or series of events that involves gathering information or seeking answers. Example: The company received an initial inquiry from a potential investor, expressing interest in their new product. The CEO instructed the sales team to follow up and provide more details about the product and its potential for market success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The IPCC's initial inquiry raised "significant concerns".

Independent

Other Republicans also said the initial inquiry fell short.

The New York Times

"I have regrettably said the initial inquiry was a success.

The Guardian

In an initial inquiry after two calls to a G.A.O.

The New York Times

From the initial inquiry it appears that uninvolved bystanders were mistakenly hit during the pursuit.

The Guardian

Many relatives of the victims have accepted the findings of the initial inquiry.

The Guardian

The MHRA will hold an initial inquiry into Blumsohn's allegations by looking at the documentary evidence.

The Guardian

"Following an initial inquiry, it appears that during the operation a UN post was unintentionally hit.

The Guardian

She was so discouraged, she said, that she almost deleted his initial inquiry.

The New York Times

The regulator said its initial inquiry would most likely take several days.

The New York Times

"I have regrettably said the initial inquiry was a success," Mr. Yates said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the "initial inquiry" is conducted impartially to maintain credibility and objectivity.

Common error

Avoid treating the "initial inquiry" as a comprehensive investigation. It's meant to gather preliminary information, not to reach definitive conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial inquiry" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the commencement of an investigative or questioning process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial inquiry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that signifies the commencement of an investigation or questioning process. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, its primary function is to denote the starting point of information gathering. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to formal business documents. Common alternatives include "preliminary investigation" and "first assessment". To ensure clarity, it's essential to define the scope of the "initial inquiry" clearly and avoid treating it as a comprehensive investigation. The phrase appears most often in the "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary investigation

Focuses on the investigative aspect, implying a fact-finding mission before a formal process.

first assessment

Emphasizes the evaluative nature of the inquiry, highlighting the judgment aspect.

early investigation

Highlights the temporal aspect, indicating that it's at the beginning stage.

opening query

Focuses on the questioning aspect, suggesting the start of a line of questioning.

starting enquiry

A more formal alternative emphasizing the beginning of a formal question set.

initial assessment

Replaces inquiry with assessment, changing the tone to evaluative.

initial investigation

Swaps "inquiry" with "investigation" focusing on fact gathering.

preliminary questioning

More accurately describes the act of asking question for a first approach to a certain issue.

first stage of questioning

Suggests a structured process of gathering info at the start.

opening gambit

A metaphor using the world of chess, where "gambit" means an opening move, typically involving a sacrifice.

FAQs

How can I use "initial inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "initial inquiry" to describe the beginning of an investigation or questioning process. For example: "The police conducted an "initial inquiry" into the matter".

What is a good alternative to "initial inquiry"?

Alternatives include "preliminary investigation", "first assessment", or "early investigation". Depending on context, you can replace "initial inquiry" with "preliminary investigation".

Is there a difference between "initial inquiry" and "preliminary investigation"?

While similar, "initial inquiry" often implies a lighter, less formal approach than "preliminary investigation", which suggests a more structured fact-finding process.

When is it appropriate to use the term "initial inquiry"?

Use "initial inquiry" when referring to the first stage of gathering information or investigating a situation, before more in-depth investigations or actions are taken.