inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of asking for information or an investigation into a particular subject. Example: "I submitted an inquiry to the customer service department regarding my recent order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

City authorities are conducting a criminal inquiry and the US department of justice is looking into potential civil rights charges.

The Guardian

"I believe a new home secretary after the general election should even now include the Kincora scandal into the wider Westminster paedophile inquiry".

The Guardian

The next home secretary must include the Kincora boys' home scandal in the Westminster paedophile inquiry, according to a leading politician in east Belfast, where the abuse took place.

The Guardian

An eight-month inquiry by the all party group on mindfulness found frontline public servants could be less likely to fall ill with stress, or quit altogether, if they engage in the increasingly popular meditation practice which involves increasing awareness of the present moment to help control anxiety and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some both within and without Northern Ireland have called for a comprehensive, wide-ranging international inquiry into the dirty war.

The Guardian

During evidence on the behaviour of nuns from the Sisters of Nazareth order at two Catholic church-run children's homes in Derry, the inquiry heard that children were beaten for bedwetting and had soiled sheets placed on their heads to humiliate them.

The Guardian

The future of UK government hopes to use local landfill sites to dispose of huge quantities of low-level nuclear waste will come under scrutiny today with the opening of a planning inquiry into the first such case.

The Guardian

This week, the blacklisted workers said they have applied to be given a central role in the inquiry.

The Guardian

Dave Smith, the group's spokesman, said: "Hopefully by the BSG applying for core participant status, we will be able to guarantee that spying on trade unions and passing over information to private companies becomes a theme within the Pitchford inquiry".

The Guardian

It allows them to see evidence in advance of it being aired at the inquiry and to seek to cross-examine witnesses.

The Guardian

Community activist Stafford Scott said "we are very disappointed" and called for a public inquiry into why police did not remove the gun from the streets when its existence was first reported to them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inquiry" when referring to a formal investigation or a systematic search for information, especially in legal, academic, or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "inquiry" in contexts where a simple question or request for information suffices. Opt for "question" or "query" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inquiry" is as a noun. It refers to the act of seeking information by asking questions, or a formal investigation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inquiry" functions as a noun denoting the act of seeking information or conducting an investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently employed in News & Media contexts, and while it maintains a neutral register, it leans towards formal use. To avoid common errors, reserve "inquiry" for formal investigations or systematic searches for information, rather than casual questioning. Consider alternatives like ""investigation"", "probe", or "examination" based on the specific nuance you intend to convey. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate the word "inquiry" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigation

Refers more specifically to a formal or systematic examination.

probe

Implies a thorough investigation to uncover hidden or sensitive information.

examination

Suggests a detailed inspection or scrutiny of something.

interrogation

Focuses on questioning someone, typically in a formal or official setting.

questioning

A more general term for asking questions to gather information.

research

Implies a systematic study to discover or revise facts and theories.

study

A broad term for a detailed investigation or analysis.

review

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation.

audit

Implies a systematic check or assessment, often of financial records.

assessment

A process of evaluating or judging the quality or importance of something.

FAQs

How to use "inquiry" in a sentence?

Use "inquiry" to refer to a formal investigation or a request for information. For example, "The police launched an "investigation" after the incident" or "I made an "enquiry" about the delivery status".

What can I say instead of "inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like ""investigation"", "probe", "examination", or "query" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "inquiry" and "investigation"?

"Inquiry" generally refers to a seeking of information or a systematic investigation. "Investigation" implies a more formal and thorough examination to uncover facts, often in relation to a crime or specific problem.

When is it appropriate to use "inquiry" over "question"?

"Inquiry" is more suitable for formal contexts involving systematic investigation or official requests for information. "Question" is more appropriate for casual or informal settings where simple information is being sought.