reason for inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"reason for inquiry" is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The customer service representative asked for the reason for inquiry before she could help me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While 10-6 is cause for celebration elsewhere, in San Francisco it is reason for an inquiry.

The New York Times - Sports

Rolling Stone's publisher, Jann Wenner, has said he will write a note about the matter in the magazine's next issue to explain the reason for the inquiry.

The Guardian

The immigration agency sent the subpoena to education officials on July 21, seeking "any and all records relating to Ousmane Coulibaly's contact information, dates of attendance and class schedules," but gave no reason for the inquiry.

The New York Times

But top Democrats stood by Mr. Baucus, and party officials said that legal advisers doubted there was any reason for an inquiry since Ms. Hanes had withdrawn her nomination of her own accord.

The New York Times

Cemex, one of the world's largest cement makers, said European Union antitrust authorities had started an investigation into the company but did not give a reason for the inquiry.

The New York Times

"The SEC did not provide a specific reason for the inquiry, but the company believes it is related to certain transactions with Network Associates, Inc., from 1998 through 2000.

Forbes

He used the penal code for perjury as the reason for his inquiry.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Berry's death of hepatitis-related liver cancer in September served as a stark reminder of the reasons for the inquiry.

The New York Times

With the S.E.C. adopting its usual no-comment stance and WorldCom executives saying they have nothing to hide, it was left for analysts yesterday to infer the reasons for the inquiry.

The New York Times

In other studies, and of course depending on the reasons for the inquiry, sports and exercise were often the only group of activities identified from the leisure time domain [ 35].

BMC Public Health

He gave no reason for ending the inquiry.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reason for inquiry", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being investigated or questioned. For clarity, follow it with a specific subject or area of concern to provide focus.

Common error

Avoid using "reason for inquiry" in excessively general contexts without specifying the subject. Be specific about what information or clarification is being sought to make the inquiry effective and avoid vague responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason for inquiry" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the cause, motive, or explanation behind a question or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in various contexts to specify the basis for seeking information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reason for inquiry" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to identify the justification behind a question or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase enjoys a fairly broad usage spectrum across news, scientific, and general knowledge contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the inquiry's subject is well-defined. While generally neutral in register, the level of formality might be adjusted based on the context. Alternatives such as "justification for the investigation" and "purpose of the inquiry" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justification for the investigation

This alternative focuses on the formal aspect of providing a rationale for an investigation.

basis for the query

This alternative uses "basis" which emphasizes the fundamental reasoning.

motivation behind the inquiry

This alternative highlights the driving force or intention leading to the inquiry.

purpose of the investigation

This alternative uses "purpose", a direct synonym of "reason", maintaining a similar level of formality.

grounds for the investigation

This alternative emphasizes the legal or ethical foundation supporting the inquiry.

rationale for the investigation

This alternative conveys a more formal and detailed explanation of the reasons.

explanation for the inquiry

This alternative uses "explanation" and is suitable when seeking a detailed account.

the why of the inquiry

This alternative offers a more informal and concise way to ask for the reason.

impetus for the inquiry

This alternative highlights the initial force or stimulus that prompted the inquiry.

cause of the inquiry

This alternative uses "cause", focusing on the origin or source of the inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "reason for inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "reason for inquiry" when you need to know the purpose of an investigation or question. For example: "The company requested the "reason for inquiry" before providing confidential documents."

What's a more formal alternative to "reason for inquiry"?

A more formal alternative would be "justification for the investigation" or "rationale for the investigation", which are suitable in professional or academic settings.

Is it better to use "reason for inquiry" or "reasons for inquiry"?

Use "reason for inquiry" when there's a single, primary cause or motive. Use "reasons for inquiry" when there are multiple factors or considerations driving the investigation.

Can I use "purpose of inquiry" instead of "reason for inquiry"?

Yes, "purpose of the investigation" is a suitable alternative and often interchangeable with "reason for inquiry", especially when emphasizing the intended outcome or aim.