significant inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an important or meaningful investigation or examination of a subject or issue. Example: "The researchers conducted a significant inquiry into the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His writing on the newspaper's blog, which contained real immersive reporting and significant inquiry, was also clear about what he believed to be true.

The New York Times

The investigation is the first significant inquiry undertaken by Andrew Hevesi, the new chairman of the Assembly's Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee.

The New York Times

"What we are signaling to the fund world," the New York state attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, said, "is that board activity is going to be a subject of significant inquiry on our part.

The New York Times

Besides the criminal investigation, an equally significant inquiry is under way, a possibly far-reaching administrative review of commanders' policies regarding detainees and of internal procedures in use at all of the prisons in Iraq that are controlled by occupation forces.

The New York Times

MacQuarrie would like to see a significant inquiry that would look at all aspects of how the justice system is failing sexual violence victims.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Charles Bowsher, the former comptroller general and head of the General Accounting Office, said Mr. Herdman, in private practice, joined other accounting executives to fight every major effort for significant inquiries into auditor independence.

The New York Times

"Significant inquiries and searches have already been made as part of the investigation to trace Helen, and further searches at her home address in Royston and an address in Broadstairs in Kent are taking place," a spokesman for Hertfordshire police said.

The Guardian

Despite making significant inquiries, (quite understandable) no real stakeholders in large scale cloud systems were willing to test Varanus or participate in a manner which would yield publishable data.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Having taught electrical engineering at Stanford and benefited there from federal research funds, I can say that with no prospect of federal support, significant scientific inquiry in a field like stem cell research will stop.

The New York Times

Other targets that have been the subject of significant imaging inquiry include probing multidrug resistance [ 27– 30] and gene delivery and expression [ 15, 31– 31].

Cancer Imaging

The nature of these concerns, which the FA treats with the utmost seriousness, has necessitated significant further inquiries by the FA and the liaison with external law enforcement agencies.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant inquiry", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the inquiry significant. Provide specific details about its importance, scope, or potential consequences to strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "significant inquiry" if the investigation is preliminary or lacks substantial evidence to support its importance. Ensure that the inquiry has tangible implications or notable findings before describing it as significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "inquiry". It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a specific instance of investigation. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often describes formal investigations or reviews.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant inquiry" is a phrase used to describe an investigation that is noteworthy, important, or has substantial implications. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal and neutral contexts. While not very common, it effectively emphasizes the importance of the inquiry, frequently appearing in news and scientific publications. When using this phrase, make sure the context clearly establishes the significance of the inquiry to avoid overstating its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Important inquiry

Highlights the relevance and consequence of the inquiry.

Critical investigation

Indicates the inquiry is essential and decisive.

Key investigation

Stresses the crucial nature of the inquiry.

In-depth inquiry

Highlights the thoroughness of the inquiry.

Substantial investigation

Emphasizes the depth and scale of the investigation.

Major investigation

Focuses on the scale and importance of the investigation.

Extensive inquiry

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the inquiry.

Considerable investigation

Highlights the extent of the effort in the investigation.

Notable inquiry

Points out the noteworthy aspect of the inquiry.

Far-reaching inquiry

Emphasizes the broad impact or scope of the inquiry.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant inquiry" to describe an important investigation or examination, as in: "The government launched a "significant inquiry" into the allegations of corruption."

What can I say instead of "significant inquiry"?

You can use alternatives such as "substantial investigation", "major investigation", or "critical investigation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "significant inquiry" or "significant inquest"?

"Significant inquiry" and "significant inquest" have different meanings. An "inquiry" is a general investigation, while an "inquest" is a formal legal investigation, typically into a death. Use the term that accurately reflects the nature of the investigation.

What's the difference between "significant inquiry" and "cursory investigation"?

A ""significant inquiry"" implies a thorough and important investigation, while a "cursory investigation" suggests a brief and superficial examination. The key difference lies in the depth and importance of the investigation.