make an inquiry about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an inquiry about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of asking for information or clarification on a specific topic. Example: "I would like to make an inquiry about the status of my application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Coin actually notifies you the moment the information might be stolen, allowing you to make an inquiry about the activity.

TechCrunch

After you find a job opening of interest, approach the human resources to make an inquiry about it and to ask how to pursue it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Birmingham have also made an inquiry about the midfielder Hossam Ghaly, who also struggled to impose himself at Spurs last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Praet is set to leave Anderlecht this summer for a fee in the region of £10m and Villa have made an inquiry about the possibility of making an offer for the midfielder.

The Guardian - Sport

September 2, 2013 1.49pm BST Arsenal have made an inquiry about Demba Ba... Arsene Wenger's trolley dash continues - the Arsenal manager is believed to have inquired about the availability of Chelsea striker Demba Ba.  1.48pm BST Mesut Özil latest..

The Guardian - Sport

The BBC believes it was mistakenly listed as using the private investigator convicted of Data Protection Act offences following the Operation Motorman investigation, after a newspaper made an inquiry about the corporation's wine bill.

The Guardian

Eric Starkman, a spokesman for Mr. Swanson, said that Mr. Swanson's "romantic relationship with his wife began years after the compliance team he helped supervise made an inquiry about Bernard Madoff's securities operations".

The New York Times

Ferrero, a film director who was banned for three months last year after referring to Internazionale's Indonesian owner Erick Thohir as a "Filipino", has claimed that Zamparini made the threat when he made an inquiry about the availability of Barreto, Palermo's captain, whose contract expires in the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Simon explained that every time a person applies for credit, whether for a loan, for an increase in a line of credit or for a mortgage, the lender makes an inquiry about credit worthiness with at least one of the major credit reporting bureaus.

The New York Times

However, Brodie's form for York early in the season had been unsettled by Crawley's interest in signing him, which he had been aware of for "about a month to six weeks" after Crawley manager Steve Evans made an inquiry about him in July 2010.

Wikipedia

United have made an inquiry to Southampton about him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an inquiry about", ensure the context is appropriate for a formal or semi-formal tone. For more casual settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "ask about".

Common error

Avoid using "make an inquiry about" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for phrases like "ask about" or "check on" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an inquiry about" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of formally asking for information or clarification. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make an inquiry about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of seeking information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for formal or semi-formal contexts, with simpler alternatives like "ask about" suitable for more casual settings. While the phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, fitting various professional contexts. When writing, be mindful of the setting and choose the most appropriate wording to convey your message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask about

This is a more direct and simpler alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

request information about

This alternative emphasizes the formal act of requesting data or details.

seek clarification on

This focuses on getting a better understanding of something already known.

look into

Implies a more in-depth investigation or examination.

pose a question regarding

A more formal way to ask a question about a topic.

investigate

Suggests a more formal and detailed examination of a situation.

examine

Suggests a careful and detailed inspection.

check on

Implies a brief or routine check, often used in informal contexts.

get details on

Focuses on obtaining specific information.

find out about

Similar to asking, but implies an effort to discover or learn something.

FAQs

How to use "make an inquiry about" in a sentence?

You can use "make an inquiry about" to express the act of asking for information or clarification on a specific topic. For example: "I would like to "make an inquiry about" the status of my application" or "The journalist "made an inquiry about" the new policy".

What can I say instead of "make an inquiry about"?

You can use alternatives like "ask about", "request information about", or "look into" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "make an inquiry about" or "do an inquiry about"?

"Make an inquiry about" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Do an inquiry about" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "make an inquiry about" and "investigate"?

"Make an inquiry about" generally refers to a simple request for information, whereas "investigate" implies a more thorough and formal examination or inquiry into a matter.