start an inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start an inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to refer to initiating an investigation or inquiry into something. For example, "The police department has decided to start an inquiry into the president's alleged wrongdoings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

You don't start an inquiry with rock-solid evidence, but with questions and hints.

The Washington Post

If the F.T.C. does start an inquiry, it is not clear that the agency would reach the same conclusion as Mr. Ackman about Herbalife.

The New York Times

The senior United Nations nuclear investigator is scheduled to go to Libya on Saturday to start an inquiry into Libya's admitted program to develop an atomic bomb.

The New York Times

The government agreed to start an inquiry into the cases of three men who say they were tortured in Syria because of information provided by Canada.

The New York Times

"If the coroner comes back and says perhaps she was killed, the first thing I do is call the police and start an inquiry into my father's death".

The New York Times

Some anthropologists who have read the book or a summary urged the American Anthropological Association or some other scientific body to start an inquiry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Google said it had discovered the problem after German regulators started an inquiry.

The New York Times - Tech

The Department of Agriculture started an inquiry and suspended the company as a supplier to federal nutrition programs.

The New York Times

Mr. Byrne said that the S.E.C. was pushed into starting an inquiry into his company.

The New York Times

Osbornemade his decision even though the Competition Commission had just started an inquiry into the industry.

The Guardian - Money

The Securities and Exchange Commission has also started an inquiry into the rating agencies, sending teams of examiners in and collecting documents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start an inquiry" to indicate the early stages of investigating a claim or incident, before conclusions are drawn.

Common error

Avoid using "start an inquiry" when the context implies aggressive or biased questioning. "Inquiry" suggests a neutral process, while "inquisition" implies a more adversarial approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start an inquiry" primarily functions as a verb phrase, denoting the initiation of a formal investigation or fact-finding process. This usage is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase indicates the commencement of an investigation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start an inquiry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the commencement of a formal investigation or fact-finding mission. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English, particularly in news reports, academic discussions, and formal announcements. The phrase commonly appears in contexts related to news and media, with less frequent usage in scientific or informal settings. When using "start an inquiry", it's important to maintain a neutral and objective tone, differentiating it from more adversarial terms like "inquisition". Alternatives such as "initiate an investigation" or "launch a probe" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open an inquiry

A more direct synonym for beginning a formal investigation.

initiate an investigation

Emphasizes a more formal and structured beginning of an investigation.

undertake an investigation

Highlights the commitment and effort involved in the investigation.

establish an inquiry

Focuses on formally creating or authorizing the inquiry.

launch a probe

Suggests a focused and directed effort to uncover information.

set up an investigation

Implies establishing the framework for the inquiry.

commence an examination

Implies a detailed and careful inspection.

instigate an investigation

Suggests initiating or provoking an investigation, often due to suspicion.

begin a fact-finding mission

Focuses on gathering information to establish the truth.

embark on an inquiry

Implies a more extensive and possibly complex investigative process.

FAQs

How to use "start an inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "start an inquiry" to describe the beginning of a formal investigation. For example, "The committee decided to "start an inquiry" into the allegations of misconduct."

What can I say instead of "start an inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "initiate an investigation", "launch a probe", or "open an inquiry" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "start an inquiry" or "begin an inquiry"?

Both "start an inquiry" and "begin an inquiry" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "start an inquiry" and "conduct an inquiry"?

"Start an inquiry" refers to the initial phase, while "conduct an inquiry" implies the ongoing process of investigation. You "start an inquiry" to begin, then you conduct it to gather information.