inquire upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inquire upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone a question or make an inquiry. For example: "Please inquire upon the availability of the meeting room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Functional Linguistics

Huffington Post

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

dK1 C Inquire Behaviour Yeah.

Functional Linguistics

I've begun noticing myself inquiring upon introductions if the person in front of me belongs to my tribe.

Huffington Post

Medications history inquired upon current use of oral antidiabetic drugs, insulin, blood pressure (BP -lowering drugs, aspirin, and any LLD(s)).

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Interviewers also followed the rule of right hand after finishing an interview and choosing another house to inquire or upon reaching the end of a street.

European Transport Research Review

Is this power, which has been exercised by Parliament and by all legislative bodies down to the present day without dispute-the power to inquire into subjects upon which they are disposed to legislate-lost to us? Are we not in the possession of it?

Cornell University

Here in effect is a roving commission to inquire into evils and upon discovery correct them.

Harvard University

A year later he was appointed, by the Governor, a member of the committee to inquire into and report upon the detective branch of the Singapore police force, and received a letter of thanks for his services.

Cornell University

Since the Fong Thin Choo test recognizes the court's power to inquire into the evidence upon which the decision was based, this permits the court to examine the merits of the case.

Wikipedia

The structural data can be provided by authors upon inquire.

Plosone

Paris Hilton was at her mid-noughties televisual peak, and I'd taken it upon myself to inquire as to why it was that neither of my parents had thought to put a little something aside for my college fund.

The Guardian - Opinion

I pointed out in an opinion that there had been 'no grant to the Executive of any roving commission to inquire into evils and then, upon discovering them, do anything he pleases.' 293 U.S. 388, at page 435, 55 S.Ct.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inquire upon", ensure the context is formal enough to warrant its use, as it can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "inquire upon" in informal settings, as it can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ask about" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inquire upon" functions as a phrasal verb, where "inquire" is the verb and "upon" acts as a preposition that modifies its meaning. Ludwig's examples show its usage in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inquire upon" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to ask or seek information, often in formal settings. While Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, its usage is less common than alternatives like "ask about" or "enquire about". It appears more frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When writing, remember that using simpler, more common alternatives in informal settings is a better idea because it adds a layer of sophistication that isn't necessary. Consider the audience and context to determine the best choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enquire about

A more formal synonym for "ask about", similar in tone to "inquire upon".

make inquiries about

A more elaborate and formal way of saying "ask about".

ask about

Focuses on a general request for information, lacking the formality of "inquire".

seek information on

Highlights the act of actively searching for details.

look into

Suggests a careful examination or investigation of a matter.

query

A more concise and direct way of asking a question.

investigate

Implies a more thorough and systematic examination than a simple inquiry.

probe into

Suggests a deep and thorough investigation, potentially uncovering hidden information.

check on

Implies a brief investigation or verification of something.

explore

Implies a broad and open-ended investigation.

FAQs

How to use "inquire upon" in a sentence?

You can use "inquire upon" when you want to ask someone a question or make an inquiry, particularly in formal contexts. For example, "Please "enquire about" the availability of the meeting room".

What can I say instead of "inquire upon"?

You can use alternatives like "ask about", ""enquire about"", or "investigate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inquire about" or "inquire upon"?

Both "inquire about" and "inquire upon" are grammatically correct, but "inquire about" is more commonly used in contemporary English. "Inquire upon" carries a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "inquire" and "inquire upon"?

"Inquire" is a general term for asking a question. "Inquire upon" adds a layer of formality and suggests a more deliberate and thorough investigation. Often, you can replace "inquire upon" with a simpler phrase, depending on your intent.