inquiry into the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “inquiry into the” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a formal investigation into a particular matter. For example: "The board of directors launched an inquiry into the company's financial practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The broader inquiry into the bank continues.

The New York Times

An inquiry into the score was rejected.

The Guardian - Sport

The group has demanded an inquiry into the allegations.

Independent

Uzbekistan is seeking an international inquiry into the events.

The Economist

A panel will conduct an inquiry into the accident.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. has launched an informal inquiry into the donation.

The New Yorker

They want a congressional inquiry into the Petrobras affair.

The Economist

The government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the killings.

The New York Times

They unsuccessfully campaigned for a public inquiry into the case.

Independent

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde ordered an inquiry into the episode.

The New York Times

A thoughtful inquiry into the topic is certainly welcome.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the spelling 'inquiry' in American English and for formal investigations in British English, though 'enquiry' is common in the UK for general questions.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using 'inquiry about the' or 'inquiry to the' when an investigation is intended. While 'inquiry about' is acceptable for a simple question (e.g. "an inquiry about the price"), a formal investigation must use 'into' to indicate a deep, investigative dive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inquiry into the" functions as a complex noun phrase head that introduces a specific object of investigation. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard construction where the noun 'inquiry' is modified by a prepositional phrase starting with 'into'. This structure allows for a clear connection between the act of investigating and the subject being studied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inquiry into the" is an essential tool for formal English writing, particularly in journalism, law and academia. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly frequent expression used to introduce a detailed investigation. Whether you are describing a congressional hearing or a scientific study, this phrase provides the necessary level of gravity and precision. It is most effectively paired with strong verbs like "launched", "ordered" or "conducted". While 'enquiry' is a valid British variant, 'inquiry' remains the global standard for official proceedings. By using this phrase, writers can clearly communicate the start or status of a systematic search for answers, ensuring their prose meets the standards of the world's most prestigious publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigation into the

Uses a more common, slightly broader noun for the process of discovery

enquiry into the

Utilizes the British English spelling, which is sometimes used for less formal requests

probe into the

Carries a journalistic or more intrusive connotation, often used in political contexts

examination of the

Shifts the preposition to 'of' and suggests a detailed analysis rather than a formal hearing

review of the

Indicates a retrospective assessment or evaluation

scrutiny of the

Emphasizes close, critical observation and judgment

analysis of the

Focuses more on the breakdown of data or concepts rather than an investigative process

exploration into the

Suggests a broader, more open-ended research process

inquest into the

Specific to legal investigations into a person's death

audit of the

Narrows the scope to a financial or systematic official inspection

FAQs

What can I say instead of "inquiry into the"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/investigation+into+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">investigation into the", "<a href="/s/probe+into+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">probe into the" or "<a href="/s/examination+of+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">examination of the".

Is it "inquiry into the" or "enquiry into the"?

Both are correct. In American English, "<a href="/s/inquiry+into+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">inquiry into the" is standard for all uses. In British English, "enquiry" is often used for a general request for information, while "inquiry" is reserved for formal investigations.

How do I use "inquiry into the" in a formal sentence?

You can use it to describe an official action, such as: "The government launched an <a href="/s/inquiry+into+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">inquiry into the cause of the accident."

Does "inquiry into the" require a specific verb?

It is commonly paired with verbs like "launch", "conduct", "order", "open" or "begin". For example, "The board will <a href="/s/conduct+an+inquiry+into+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">conduct an inquiry into the matter."