inquire about whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'inquire about whether' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to ask someone a question and are not sure of the answer. For example: "I will inquire about whether the library is open on Sunday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr. Snowden's supporters, including some associated with the antisecrecy organization WikiLeaks, have approached officials in Iceland on his behalf to inquire about whether he might be granted asylum there.

The New York Times

The man explained that Bill Wilson was the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and that members use the question "Are you a friend of Bill's?" to discreetly inquire about whether acquaintances are in AA. "I'm not," I replied.

Harvard Business Review

To inquire about its inverse, we inquire about whether there's a system, which when we cascade the accumulator with that system, which I'm calling its inverse, we get an impulse out.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On the one hand, since we discussed the transgender issue quite extensively back in the day, I feel that basic politeness and, of course, an interest in catching up would suggest that I inquire about whether the person has fully changed gender.

The New York Times

If You Haven't HeardIf you do not hear about the status of your candidacy for an offer within a week after the interviewer indicated you would be notified, contact the recruiting administrator to inquire about whether they need any further information and when you might expect to receive a response.

Cornell University

Also inquire about whether your plan has a self-directed brokerage option.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It is also worth inquiring about whether unauthorised calls and downloads are covered on the policy.

The Guardian - Money

She expressed concern for what had happened in New York, and inquired about whether anyone from New Rochelle had been lost.

The New York Times

(Maybe it's that tourist mentality: I never inquired about whether the camels we rode through back roads and villages were insured, either).

The New York Times

Among them: that Mr. Haag referred to one plaintiff as "dirty bird," watched pornography at the office, and inquired about whether a plaintiff  "groomed her pubic hair".

The New York Times

Mr. Othman has also inquired about whether an official American DC-3 aircraft had been parked at the Ndola airfield that night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inquire about whether" when a formal tone is appropriate, such as in academic papers, business correspondence, or official reports.

Common error

Do not use "inquire about whether or not" when "inquire about whether" suffices. The addition of "or not" can sometimes be redundant and weaken the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inquire about whether" functions as an introductory phrase to a question, expressing a formal way to seek information or clarification about a particular condition or fact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inquire about whether" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used to introduce formal questions or requests for information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for academic, professional, and news contexts. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and consider less formal alternatives like "ask if" in casual settings. Remember that while "inquire" is standard in American English, "enquire" is often preferred in British English. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific sources, making it a versatile tool for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask if

This is a more direct and less formal way to request information.

enquire if

A slightly more formal synonym of "ask if".

check whether

This alternative emphasizes verification or confirmation.

determine whether

Focuses on reaching a conclusion or making a decision.

investigate if

Suggests a more thorough and formal examination.

find out if

Implies discovering information that is currently unknown.

ascertain whether

This is a more formal and precise way to find something out.

look into whether

Indicates a preliminary examination or investigation.

explore if

Suggests a broad and open-ended inquiry.

probe whether

Implies a careful and detailed investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "inquire about whether" in a sentence?

You can use "inquire about whether" to introduce a question or request for information, such as, "I will inquire about whether the library is open on Sunday."

What is a less formal alternative to "inquire about whether"?

A less formal alternative to "inquire about whether" is to simply "ask if".

When is it appropriate to use "inquire about whether"?

"Inquire about whether" is appropriate in formal contexts like academic writing, professional communication, or official inquiries.

Is there a difference between "inquire about whether" and "enquire about whether"?

"Inquire" and "enquire" are variants of the same word. "Inquire" is more common in American English, while "enquire" is more common in British English. The choice depends on the regional context.