previous inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question or request that was made earlier in a conversation or correspondence. Example: "In response to your previous inquiry, I have attached the requested documents for your review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The commission closed the previous inquiry without acting.

The New York Times

In a previous inquiry, the office took a year to look into a single prison.

The New York Times

A previous inquiry launched in 1970, with a special Scotland Yard task team, was "terminated" by the incoming Tory government.

The Guardian

Robert Cornall is a consultant who has conducted numerous reviews for the government, including a previous inquiry into alleged sexual assaults on Manus.

The Guardian

The court also demanded that Poland conduct an immediate and unsparing investigation into what happened at the jail, finding its previous inquiry into the prison flawed and insufficient.

The Guardian

Launched after a Healthcare Commission report published last year, the previous inquiry revealed a series of failings at the trust, which also runs Cannock Chase hospital.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Previous inquiries have found no evidence of collusion.

The Economist

The bureau's previous inquiries, the official said, would have been insufficient to achieve that.

The Washington Post

Some of those changes were spurred by previous inquiries like the 9/11 commission.

The New York Times

Previous inquiries have only considered discounters as major competitors to convenience stores and small supermarkets.

The Guardian - Business

12.36pm GMT The PM runs through the previous inquiries into the Mid Staffs scandal that have taken place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "previous inquiry", clearly specify the subject or context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the previous inquiry found no evidence", state "the previous inquiry into the financial records found no evidence."

Common error

Avoid assuming that everyone knows the specific "previous inquiry" you're referencing. Always provide enough context or a brief recap to ensure clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It refers to an investigative process that occurred at an earlier time, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous inquiry" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to denote a past investigation or examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It finds its primary usage in contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business settings, and Science, indicating a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context of the inquiry is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "prior investigation" and "earlier investigation", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone. Understanding and implementing these insights can enhance the precision and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior investigation

Replaces "inquiry" with "investigation", emphasizing a more formal or official examination.

earlier investigation

Substitutes "previous" with "earlier", indicating a temporal sequence of investigations.

past investigation

Replaces "previous" with "past", suggesting a completed or concluded investigation.

preceding inquiry

Uses "preceding" instead of "previous", offering a more formal tone.

former inquiry

Replaces "previous" with "former", emphasizing that the inquiry is no longer active or current.

initial inquiry

Indicates the first inquiry in a series or sequence of inquiries.

historical investigation

Emphasizes the historical aspect of the investigation.

prior examination

Replaces "inquiry" with "examination", indicating a detailed inspection or scrutiny.

earlier review

Substitutes both "previous" and "inquiry" with "earlier" and "review" respectively, suggesting a less formal investigation.

past assessment

Uses "past" and "assessment" to convey a similar meaning, indicating a completed evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "previous inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "previous inquiry" to refer to an investigation or examination that occurred before the current one. For example: "The recommendations from the "previous inquiry" were not fully implemented."

What's a more formal alternative to "previous inquiry"?

A more formal alternative would be "prior investigation" or "preceding inquiry", both of which convey a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "prior inquiry" instead of "previous inquiry"?

Yes, "prior inquiry" is a correct and often more formal alternative to "previous inquiry". They are largely interchangeable, though "prior" may suggest a slightly higher degree of formality.

What's the difference between "previous inquiry" and "initial inquiry"?

"Previous inquiry" refers to any inquiry that came before the current one, whereas "initial inquiry" specifically refers to the very first inquiry in a series of investigations.