make inquiries

USAGE SUMMARY

"make inquiries" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to investigate or search for information or ask questions on your behalf. For example, "I asked my colleague to make inquiries about the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make inquiries.

The New York Times - Travel

"We don't do investigations or make inquiries".

The Guardian

When they do make inquiries, the results are often surprising.

The New Yorker

We cannot make inquiries based on a newspaper article".

The New York Times

Now in London, Becker began to make inquiries.

The Guardian

"You'd think they'd make inquiries before they move in".

The New Yorker

Through contacts, Diaghilev got the French Ambassador in Moscow to make inquiries.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, parliament began to make inquiries into whether the minister of interior could be prosecuted.

The Economist

Even if your insurer covers bariatric surgery, make inquiries about the fees involved.

The New York Times - Health

She said landlords would take her deposit, make inquiries about her and finally return the money.

The New York Times

"I have asked the metropolitan police commissioner to make inquiries," Mr. Burgess said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "make inquiries" to indicate a structured or official request for information. For example, "The committee will make inquiries to relevant authorities."

Common error

Avoid using "make inquiries" in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "ask" or "look into" are more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make inquiries" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of seeking information or investigating something, often in a formal or official context. Ludwig AI provides several examples demonstrating its usage in various scenarios, from police investigations to general information gathering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make inquiries" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies a formal approach to seeking information or conducting an investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across a multitude of contexts, predominantly within news and media, followed by scientific and encyclopedic domains. It is important to be mindful of formality levels, avoiding its usage in overly casual situations. Alternatives like "investigate" or "look into" may be more appropriate in informal settings. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can confidently use "make inquiries" to convey a structured and official request for information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Investigate

A single-word synonym that carries a formal tone.

Conduct an investigation

Focuses on a more formal and structured approach to seeking information.

Carry out an investigation

Similar to conduct an investigation, but emphasizes the execution of investigative actions.

Look into

A more casual and less formal way to say investigate.

Check up on

Implies a less formal or detailed investigation, often focused on verifying something.

Delve into

Implies a deeper, more thorough investigation of a subject.

Probe into

Suggests a more intrusive or sensitive investigation.

Look something up

More direct and refers specifically to finding information in a reference material.

Ask around

Implies seeking information from multiple people informally.

Get the details

Focuses on obtaining specific information rather than a broader investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "make inquiries" in a sentence?

You can use "make inquiries" to indicate a formal investigation or request for information. For example, "The police will "make inquiries" into the matter".

What are some alternatives to "make inquiries"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "investigate", "look into", or "ask around".

Is "make inquires" a correct spelling?

No, the correct spelling is "make inquiries", with an 'i' after the 'r'. The misspelling "make inquires" is not grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "make inquiries" and "ask questions"?

"Make inquiries" implies a more formal and thorough investigation, while "ask questions" is a more general and informal way of seeking information.