inquiry about

USAGE SUMMARY

"inquiry about" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It simply means to ask a question or request more information about a particular topic. For example: "I sent an inquiry about the job opening and received a response the same day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps my earlier inquiry about dogs was incomplete.

The New Yorker

The response to a recent inquiry about cocktails was "We have a full bar".

The New Yorker

The N.R.A. did not respond to an inquiry about whether Mr. LaPierre would attend.

The New York Times

Just then, a reporter lobbed a final inquiry about the latest revelations.

The New York Times

And there was one inquiry about entertaining a first-time visitor to the island of Manhattan.

The New York Times

The letter contained few details, beyond an inquiry about Danil and an entreaty not to worry.

The New York Times

My inquiry about the annual fertilizer bill was met with a polite rebuff.

Independent

Representatives from Guinness did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the identity of Pusuke's successor.

The New York Times

I opened it expecting to find an inquiry about missing documents.

The New York Times

A spokesman for "Yank!" did not immediately respond to an inquiry about why Mr. Goldin was being replaced.

The New York Times

Officials at the Park Slope Food Co-op did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Mr. Grenier.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inquiry about", ensure that the subject of the inquiry is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "inquiry about the shipping costs" rather than just "inquiry".

Common error

Avoid using "inquiry about" without specifying what the inquiry pertains to. For instance, instead of saying "We received an inquiry about it", specify "We received an "inquiry about the product"" to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inquiry about" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the topic or subject of a question, request for information, or investigation. As Ludwig confirms, it’s a standard and accepted construction. For example: "an inquiry about missing documents."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

41%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inquiry about" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce the topic of a question or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science sources, suggesting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of the inquiry is clearly defined. Alternatives like "question concerning" or "request for information regarding" can be used for slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

query related to

Uses a slightly more formal synonym for "inquiry".

question concerning

Emphasizes the act of posing a question related to a particular topic.

request for information regarding

Highlights the formal aspect of seeking data or details on a subject.

seek clarification on

Emphasizes the intention to gain a clearer understanding.

investigation into

Shifts the focus towards a more in-depth examination or probing of a matter.

probe concerning

Suggests a more thorough and potentially sensitive investigation.

examination of

Focuses on a detailed inspection or review of something.

delve into

Suggests a deep and thorough investigation.

exploration of

Implies a broad and open-ended investigation into a topic.

look into

Suggests a casual but focused examination.

FAQs

How can I use "inquiry about" in a sentence?

You can use "inquiry about" to introduce the subject of a question or investigation. For example, "We received an "inquiry about the status" of their order", or "The police are conducting an "inquiry about the incident"".

What's a more formal alternative to "inquiry about"?

A more formal alternative could be "request for information regarding", which is often used in professional or academic contexts.

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

"Inquiry about" generally refers to asking questions to gain information, while "investigation into" implies a more thorough and systematic examination of a situation or event.

Can I use "enquiry about" instead of "inquiry about"?

Yes, "enquiry about" is a perfectly acceptable alternative, particularly in British English. Both terms have the same meaning and are interchangeable.