inquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inquired' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is asking a question or looking for information. For example, "Alice inquired what time dinner was going to be served."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although some readers have inquired of the paper whether the BBC's reports of page 3's newsprint demise were correct, there have not been any internal reports of people making specific complaints.

The Guardian

By 2010 he had dubstep singles out on a few independent labels and was interviewed by a clubbing magazine, Big Up, which inquired if he was going to stay within the genre that had embraced him.

The Guardian - Music

Had we recruited anyone in the past few weeks, they inquired?

The Guardian

He was made a member of the Annan Committee, which inquired into the future of broadcasting.

The Guardian

'The negotiator on behalf of the Green party inquired into that possibility, but was informed several weeks ago that it would not be permitted.

The Guardian

Whatever it was that Victoria did, it was sufficient for Jordan to answer in the affirmative when an interviewer inquired whether Mrs Beckham had benefited from "work" to her top half.

The Guardian

"I made it very clear, in very aggressive and detailed rhetoric, that we inquired, and I as bureau chief inquired, and so did my team, about the legalities of our situation, and we got confirmation from the network that we were legal," he said.

The Guardian

Recently, over lunch with two managers, each (still) in charge of top league European clubs, I half-jokingly inquired on their rapport with their respective club owners.

The Guardian - Sport

When Boykin inquired about the "cage scenario", he says police explained that ceilings had been dropped in the area to cover plumbing.

The Guardian

How alarmed was he, someone inquired.

The Guardian - Sport

The suspect was finally tracked down because he had used his mother's computer to connect to a website advertising the sale of the motor scooter, and via a garage where the gunman's brother inquired about a tracking device.Details are emerging about Mr Merah.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inquired" when you want to convey a sense of formality or politeness in asking a question or seeking information. It's often more appropriate in written communication or formal settings than the more common "asked".

Common error

Avoid using "inquired" in very informal or casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday speech. Opt for "asked" or other simpler alternatives in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inquired" is as a verb in the past tense, indicating the act of asking a question or seeking information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "inquired" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of asking a question, often with a nuance of formality or politeness. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the term is grammatically sound and appropriate for formal written English. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and formal business communications, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While alternatives like "asked" are more common in everyday speech, "inquired" adds a touch of sophistication to your writing. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enquired

A British English variant of "inquired".

asked

A more direct and common synonym for inquiring, suitable for most contexts.

queried

Similar to inquired, but may imply a more formal or official context.

questioned

Implies a more thorough or potentially skeptical line of inquiry.

investigated

Suggests a more in-depth and systematic examination or inquiry.

made an inquiry

A slightly more formal and indirect way of saying "inquired".

probed

Implies a searching or exploratory inquiry, often into sensitive matters.

sought information

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of seeking knowledge.

interrogated

Suggests a formal and potentially adversarial questioning process.

requested details

Emphasizes the act of asking for specific information or particulars.

FAQs

How to use "inquired" in a sentence?

Use "inquired" as a verb to indicate that someone asked a question, often in a formal or polite way. For example, "The journalist "inquired" about the company's future plans."

What can I say instead of "inquired"?

You can use alternatives like "asked", "queried", or "questioned" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inquired" or "enquired"?

"Inquired" and "enquired" are both correct, but "enquired" is more common in British English, while "inquired" is standard in American English. They both mean to ask a question.

What's the difference between "inquired" and "asked"?

"Inquired" is generally more formal and polite than "asked". While "asked" is suitable for most situations, "inquired" may be preferred in professional or formal contexts to convey respect or seriousness.