minor inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor inquiry" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a small or less significant question or request for information. Example: "I have a minor inquiry regarding the meeting schedule." Alternative expressions include "small question" and "brief inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And to the best of our knowledge, Ms. Suleman's only contact with us was a minor inquiry regarding our Children's Ministry.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cuadrilla suspended fracking operations during the inquiry into minor quakes in Lancashire.

The Guardian

She used a baseball metaphor to belittle the inquiries as "minor league ball".

The Guardian

Ms. Glancy was only a minor target of the F.B.I. inquiry, but her trial turned into a forum at which the public could get a peek at the Plunder Dome doings.

The New York Times

Each request for a credit report and score (each "credit inquiry") has a minor negative impact on your FICO score (typically less than five points deducted -- and if you're shopping around a lot and already have a "subprime" score, this can add up.

WikiHow

The senior politician who was in charge of the disastrous preparations for the Commonwealth Games last month had to resign from a minor party position amid multiple inquiries into fraud and graft.

The New York Times

Lawyers say people are just beginning to make inquiries about getting minor marijuana convictions overturned, or sealed from public view.

BBC

The hard inquiry can have a minor negative effect on your credit score on the order of a few points.

WikiHow

In sparsely settled country few names in actual use may be obtained for minor features, while in other areas inquiries may reveal inconsistencies and confusions in both spelling and application of local names.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has tried to discredit the legality of parliament's inquiry, largely by concentrating on minor technical issues.

The Economist

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire, who led the murder inquiry said "They were two minor components of another contributor's DNA.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor inquiry" when you want to downplay the significance or complexity of a question or investigation, suggesting it is of little importance or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "minor inquiry" when the question or investigation actually involves significant complexity or potential consequences; this could mislead the audience about the true scope of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "inquiry". It describes the type of inquiry being made, indicating its relative insignificance or limited scope. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor inquiry" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted phrase used to describe a question or request for information of little importance or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as wiki and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the inquiry truly is minor to avoid misleading your audience about the issue's significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small question

Replaces "inquiry" with a more informal term, focusing on the simplicity of the question.

brief question

Emphasizes the brevity of the inquiry.

small request

Shifts from an inquiry to a request, implying a specific action is needed.

simple query

Uses 'query' as a synonym for 'inquiry', while highlighting its simplicity.

preliminary investigation

Suggests an initial step in a more extensive inquiry.

cursory examination

Implies a quick and not very detailed review or investigation.

light investigation

Indicates a less intense or serious investigation.

informal questioning

Highlights the casual nature of the inquiry.

initial probe

Refers to the very first steps in an investigation.

slight investigation

Uses 'slight' to emphasize the minimal nature of the investigation.

FAQs

What does "minor inquiry" mean?

"Minor inquiry" refers to a small or insignificant question or request for information. It implies that the inquiry is not very important or complex.

What can I say instead of "minor inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "small question", "brief question", or "simple query" depending on the context.

Is "minor inquiry" formal or informal?

"Minor inquiry" has a neutral tone. While it is not overly formal, it is appropriate for professional and news contexts, as well as general use.

How can "minor inquiry" affect a credit score?

A "minor inquiry" on your credit report, also known as a 'hard inquiry', can have a "minor negative effect" on your credit score, typically only a few points.