inquired of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inquired of him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that someone asked a question or sought information from another person. Example: "She inquired of him whether he had seen the missing documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Now what are they clapping for?" one lady in the audience inquired of her companion.

The New Yorker

I inquired of numerous people who had met him, at school, in the army, in later life: this boring factor was the most constant.

The Guardian - Books

After The New York Times reported in December 2009 that Galea was under investigation by federal authorities and had worked closely with Lindsay, Yankees officials inquired of Rodriguez whether Galea had ever treated him.

The New York Times - Sports

He inquired of young lady swaying on strap in front of him, "Where are we?" "Wall St.," she said in a sweet, tired voice.

The New Yorker

"Are you OK?" he inquired of the official.

The Guardian - Sport

"Your daddy's in Nebraska," he inquired of one.

The Guardian

"How you doin', guys?" he inquired of the reporters.

The New York Times

Why Barbie, this reporter inquired of Ms. L'Excellent?

The New York Times

An observer was curious and inquired of the cop.

The New Yorker

One of them inquired of the other if….

The New Yorker

Mother inquired of uncle if he could put us across.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, "inquired of him" can sound archaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "asked him" unless aiming for a deliberately formal or old-fashioned tone.

Common error

Avoid using "inquired of him" in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "asked him" are generally more appropriate for everyday conversation and writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inquired of him" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of asking or seeking information from a male individual. Though grammatically correct, its usage can sound formal or archaic.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inquired of him" is a grammatically correct way to express that someone asked a question or sought information from a male individual. However, it carries a formal and somewhat archaic tone. As Ludwig AI indicates, simpler alternatives like "asked him" are often more appropriate in contemporary writing and conversation. While the phrase isn't incorrect, its formality should be considered in relation to the intended audience and context. In most scenarios, opting for a less formal option ensures clarity and accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asked him

Direct replacement of "inquired of" with the simpler verb "asked".

questioned him

"Questioned" implies a more formal or official inquiry.

queried him

"Queried" suggests a more direct and possibly challenging inquiry.

made an inquiry to him

Rephrases the inquiry as a formal action.

sought information from him

Focuses on the purpose of the inquiry—obtaining information.

requested information from him

Similar to seeking information, but implies a more formal request.

consulted him

"Consulted" suggests seeking advice or guidance.

interviewed him

"Interviewed" implies a structured questioning session.

canvassed him

"Canvassed" suggests an attempt to gather opinions or support.

investigated him

"Investigated" suggests an attempt to find out facts about him or his activities.

FAQs

What does "inquired of him" mean?

The phrase "inquired of him" means that someone asked a question or sought information from him.

How can I use "inquired of him" in a sentence?

Example: "She "asked him" about the details of the meeting after she "inquired of him" about the reasons behind the change in strategy."

What are some alternatives to "inquired of him"?

You can use alternatives such as ""asked him"", "questioned him", or "sought information from him".

Is "inquired of him" formal or informal?

The phrase "inquired of him" is generally considered more formal. In many modern contexts, simpler alternatives are preferred. It's important to select phrases that align with the tone of your message to prevent sounding unnatural.