it was inquired

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was inquired" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something (the subject) was the object of an inquiry, or the act of questioning or seeking information. Example: "The details of the incident were unclear, so it was inquired by the police for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When it was inquired if any Belgians were to be evacuated, Pownall was reported to have replied, "We don't care a bugger what happens to the Belgians".

Wikipedia

With regards to intake of specific foods, it was inquired whether meat[15], fruits, milk, rice and junk foods[22] including cold drinks, burgers, pizza, chocolates, chips, 'samosay' and 'pakoray' were taken.

Plosone

It was inquired separately for medicines, medical consultations, and diagnostic exams.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place; I should hardly think of the answer which I had before given, that, for any thing I knew, the watch might have always been there.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

[S]uppose I found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place, I should hardly think … that, for anything I knew, the watch might have always been there.

Wikipedia

It was from Mr. Griffin, who was inquiring about her physical condition.

The New York Times

I was inquiring for a friend.

The New Yorker

"As is its right, the Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation of issues into which it has been inquiring for the past year and a half," Ensign said.

Huffington Post

If your email doesn't clearly specify what it is you are inquiring, it will be overlooked and you will not get the help you need.

WikiHow

All it can do is inquire and report.

The Guardian

"Amazingly my mobile number was on it, so they were inquiring where they should deliver the parcel," they added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was inquired" when emphasizing that a formal question or investigation was initiated. This passive construction can be useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself.

Common error

Avoid using "it was inquired" excessively, as overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound vague and less engaging. Consider using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was inquired" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that a question or inquiry was made about a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was inquired" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a question or investigation was initiated. Ludwig shows that its usage is relatively rare but appears across various contexts, including science, news media and wikis. Its formality level is generally neutral to formal. While grammatically sound, writers should avoid overuse of passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct communication. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid for use in written English and is helpful in scenarios where the actor is unknown or less important than the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the question was posed

Replaces "inquired" with "posed", focusing on the act of presenting a question.

the matter was investigated

Shifts the focus to a broader investigation rather than a specific question.

an inquiry was made

Nominalizes "inquired" into "inquiry", changing the sentence structure.

details were requested

Specifies that information or details were being sought.

information was sought

Highlights the act of seeking information, using a more general term.

the subject was questioned

Focuses on the act of questioning a subject or topic.

the point was raised

Emphasizes the introduction of a specific point for discussion.

the issue was examined

Indicates a detailed examination of an issue, going beyond a simple question.

scrutiny was applied

Implies a careful and critical examination.

the claim was challenged

Suggests a questioning of a statement's validity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was inquired" in active voice?

To use active voice, structure the sentence to show who did the inquiring. For example, instead of "it was inquired", you could say "they inquired", "the committee inquired", or "the researcher inquired" depending on the context.

What is a more formal alternative to "it was inquired"?

A more formal alternative could be "the matter was subject to investigation" or "an inquiry was conducted" to emphasize the seriousness and official nature of the questioning.

Is "it was inquired" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was inquired" may sound too formal for casual or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "they asked" or "we wanted to know" for a more relaxed tone.

How does "it was inquired" differ from "it was questioned"?

While similar, "it was questioned" often implies doubt or skepticism about something, whereas "it was inquired" is a more neutral term simply indicating that information was sought. Depending on the context, alternatives such as "the matter was investigated" can be more descriptive.