tradition of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"tradition of inquiry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a long-standing process of asking questions to investigate something, such as, "The university fosters a tradition of inquiry in its research methods".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A more severe definition of objectivity that would require a measure of validity outside any tradition of inquiry or paradigm or episteme or habitus is simply uncashable.

The New York Times

"There is a rich tradition of inquiry into Islam dating back to the 19th-century French and German scholarly critiques," Mr. Kurtz said.

The New York Times - Arts

Senior staff in particular are only too happy to go along with this, and to leave teaching – or the passing on to the next generation of a tradition of inquiry – to inexperienced and less well-paid junior staff.

The Guardian

In an age when higher education is threatened with a relentless technology that threatens to dispense with human beings altogether, Professor Van Doren exemplified a tradition of inquiry that celebrates personal interaction as the path to a meaningful education — one shaped by spontaneity, emotion and, yes, reverence.

The New York Times

First, there is the tradition of inquiry into nature founded by the Milesians, and carried on by Xenophanes (Mourelatos 2008b) and by Heraclitus (recent discussion in Graham 2008).

SEP

As the year wore on, they came to realize that they were part of the Great Conversation, a centuries-old tradition of inquiry into hundreds of questions and answers that began with the Greeks, with themselves the judges as to which answer was right.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It would be more in keeping with the tradition of inquiries into disgusting behaviour if, instead of running the investigation, she was a major witness, and like Rupert Murdoch, sat there saying, "Sorry, I can't remember a thing", and was somehow believed by everyone, except anyone not part of the Establishment.

Independent

In short, I rely on the world that has been delivered to me by the traditions of inquiry and demonstration I currently have faith in.

The New York Times

Iraq: There was an age when Baghdad was the seat of a vast empire and the center of the scientific universe — where both "eastern" and "western" traditions of inquiry and learning came together, laying the roots for the fields of astronomy, algebra, chemistry and so much more that now shapes the world.

The Washington Post

Believers can interact more comfortably with nonbelievers, recognizing they too are trying to relate authentically to their own personal history, experiences of transcendence (or lack thereof), and the traditions of inquiry and practice that they have learned about.

Huffington Post

Qualitative research types are based on different traditions of inquiry and we looked for the best fit between our research question and a specific type.

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tradition of inquiry" when referring to a well-established and historically recognized method or approach to investigation in academic, scientific, or philosophical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tradition of inquiry" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "way of asking questions" or "method of investigation" for better clarity and appropriateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tradition of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase that describes a long-standing and established method or approach to investigation and questioning. Ludwig examples show usage in diverse fields like science, education and philosophy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tradition of inquiry" refers to a well-established and historically recognized method or approach to investigation, typically within academic, scientific, or philosophical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, but its register is formal. Therefore, it's best suited for scholarly writing and formal discussions, while simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for casual communication. Consider alternatives like "method of investigation" or "approach to research" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-honored method of investigation

Substitutes "tradition" with "time-honored method" and "inquiry" with "investigation", highlighting the historical aspect and the investigative nature.

well-established questioning process

Combines the ideas of "well-established" and "questioning process" to convey a similar meaning to "tradition of inquiry".

established investigative practice

Replaces "tradition" with "established practice" and "inquiry" with "investigative", emphasizing the procedural aspect.

conventional process of investigation

Emphasizes the conventional and procedural aspects of investigation, offering a more descriptive alternative.

long-standing research methodology

Replaces "tradition of inquiry" with a more academic term, focusing on research and its established methods.

entrenched system of investigation

Focuses on the deeply rooted and systematic nature of investigation, using "entrenched system" to replace "tradition".

accepted form of examination

Replaces "inquiry" with "examination" and uses "accepted form" to convey the sense of tradition.

customary mode of questioning

Uses "customary mode" instead of "tradition" and "questioning" instead of "inquiry", conveying a sense of conventional practice.

institutionalized method of questioning

Highlights the institutional aspect and uses "questioning" to replace "inquiry".

historical pursuit of knowledge

Focuses on the historical aspect of seeking knowledge, replacing "inquiry" with a broader concept of knowledge pursuit.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The university fosters a "tradition of inquiry" among its students" or "The scientific community maintains a "tradition of inquiry" to validate new theories".

What's a simpler way to say "tradition of inquiry"?

Consider using phrases like "method of investigation", "approach to research", or "way of questioning" depending on the context.

Is "tradition of inquiry" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "tradition of inquiry" is best suited for academic, scientific, or formal writing. Simpler terms might be more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "tradition of inquiry" and "line of inquiry"?

"Tradition of inquiry" refers to an established, ongoing approach, while "line of inquiry" indicates a specific course or direction of investigation.