target of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in academic or research contexts to refer to the specific subject or focus of an investigation or study. Example: "The target of inquiry for this research project is the impact of social media on mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Scientists' graphical practices have recently become a target of inquiry in the philosophy of science, and in the cognitive sciences.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

In June 1998, Muwafaq became a target of inquiry by the FBI, although there is no evidence that this led to any suspicion being confirmed.

The Guardian

But the President's investigating commission, after beginning its work as if under the general impression that only the hardware need be reviewed, has put NASA officials on notice that the "decision-making process" leading to the fatal shuttle launch also will be a target of inquiry.

The New York Times

The panel, which included representatives of the US and UK governments, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, said that it could not comment on the target of inquiry: the 1973 Helms Amendment to the US Foreign Assistance Act.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

If molecular biologists discover that the same mechanism produces different effects in distinct contexts and only one of these effects is the target of inquiry, a part of the mechanism's context becomes epistemically relevant and can be included in the explanation (Delehanty 2005).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Most of those in line to take over, including Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty and acting Associate Attorney General William W. Mercer, played a role in the firings and have been the target of inquiries by Congress.

The Washington Post

Scholars might choose targets of inquiry, sources of data, or methods of analysis that support their political allegiances.

Cornell University

Our targets of inquiry therefore inevitably include not only "Western" IR, but "non-Western" discourses as well.

Stanford University

But when all the presumed targets of inquiry, along with the artist herself, stand to win big-time from such a grilling, what's the point?

The New York Times - Arts

Why have they done so? A. One of the Republican targets of inquiry is to ask how much the White House knew about the I.R.S. activities and whether administration officials should have taken action to stop it once they knew.

The New York Times

He was released on bail the next day, and was named a target of the inquiry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "target of inquiry", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being investigated. This phrase is most effective in formal or academic writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "target of inquiry" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "what we're looking into" or "focus of the investigation" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the specific focus or subject under investigation. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "target of inquiry" is a formal and precise way to denote the specific subject or focus of an investigation or study. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and usage are best suited for academic, scientific, or formal contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources like "The New York Times", "The Washington Post", and academic publications. While alternatives like "subject of investigation" or "focus of investigation" offer similar meanings, "target of inquiry" maintains a level of formality that may be less appropriate for informal settings. Therefore, when aiming for precision and formality in describing the subject of an investigation, "target of inquiry" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject of investigation

Focuses on the specific area being examined or researched.

focus of investigation

Highlights the main point or area of attention within the investigation.

object of study

Emphasizes the thing or person being studied in a systematic manner.

point of investigation

Refers to a specific aspect or issue being examined.

area of focus

Indicates a particular domain or field receiving attention.

matter under investigation

Highlights the issue or situation being formally examined.

topic of research

Signifies the particular subject area being investigated.

theme of study

Indicates the central idea or concept being explored.

scope of analysis

Defines the boundaries or extent of the analytical work.

issue at hand

Refers to a specific problem or matter being dealt with.

FAQs

How can I use "target of inquiry" in a sentence?

The phrase "target of inquiry" refers to the subject or focus of an investigation or study. For example: "The "target of inquiry" for this research is the impact of climate change on coastal erosion".

What are some alternatives to "target of inquiry"?

You can use alternatives such as "subject of investigation", "focus of investigation", or "object of study" depending on the context.

Is "target of inquiry" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "target of inquiry" is best suited for formal or academic writing. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "target of inquiry" and "aim of inquiry"?

"Target of inquiry" refers to the specific subject being investigated, while "aim of inquiry" refers to the goal or purpose of the investigation.