undertake an inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake an inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of initiating or conducting an investigation or examination into a particular matter. Example: "The committee decided to undertake an inquiry into the recent allegations of misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr. Turner said that because some intelligence secrets are shared among multiple agencies, it is sometimes complicated for the inspector general of a single agency to undertake an inquiry.

The New York Times

But Clifford Chance, the law firm commissioned by RBS to undertake an inquiry into the Tomlinson allegations, said there was "no evidence" of fraudulent activity, although it criticised other aspects of the bank's practices.

The Guardian - Business

He says: "I find it slightly odd how the Children Act puts the English commissioner under onus to talk to children here [in Northern Ireland] and to me, and to mesh our work together, but also states how he can undertake an inquiry on reserved matters with no onus to talk to me at all".

The Guardian

He has written to the City of London police asking them to undertake an inquiry into whether Baroness Warsi or her aide Mr Khan have broken the law.

BBC

At the time of writing, however, the Productivity Commission, the Australian Government's independent research and advisory body, has been commissioned to undertake an inquiry into the sustainability of Australia's ECEC system.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

However, their study captures only part of the richness of auditor-client communication, with findings that could possibly interact with the effects of computer-mediated communication on the propensity for auditors to undertake an inquiry (e.g., Bennett & Hatfield, 2013) or on how client personnel choose to respond (e.g., Saiewitz & Kida, 2018).

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That is why we are requesting that the defence select committee undertakes an inquiry into the incident at Dounreay.

The Guardian

The all-party parliamentary group on drug policy reform undertook an inquiry into the implications of the arrival of "legal highs" – a new substance appeared on the UK market every week in 2012.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 2005, The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology undertook an inquiry, chaired by Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, to evaluate the scientific aspects and current situation of ageing research in the UK.

BMC Geriatrics

Undertaking an inquiry-based learning task requires them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

But the Human Rights Commission wanted its own reference to undertake an independent inquiry into curbs on speech.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing formal investigations, "undertake an inquiry" provides a more authoritative tone than "look into".

Common error

Avoid using "undertake an inquiry" interchangeably with simpler verbs like "check" or "see". "Undertake" implies a more formal and in-depth investigation, so ensure it aligns with the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake an inquiry" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of initiating or conducting a formal investigation or examination. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in contexts related to legal, governmental, and organizational investigations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undertake an inquiry" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe the commencement of a formal investigation. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources confirms its use in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. As such, while the phrase is deemed usable, it is best suited for formal writing and speech. Alternative phrases, such as "conduct an investigation", offer similar meanings but may vary slightly in tone or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct an investigation

This alternative uses "conduct" instead of "undertake", focusing on the act of carrying out the investigation.

carry out an examination

This alternative emphasizes a detailed and thorough analysis.

pursue an investigation

Focuses on the action of actively following up and exploring the details.

launch a probe

This phrase uses "probe" which implies a more focused and detailed investigation.

delve into the issue

This implies a deep and thorough exploration of the issue.

mount an inquiry

Uses "mount" to emphasize the scale and effort involved in the inquiry.

initiate an audit

This is more specific, suggesting a financial or procedural review.

start a review

This alternative is less formal and implies a general assessment.

commission a study

This suggests hiring an external entity to perform the investigation.

look into the matter

This is a more informal way of saying investigate.

FAQs

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

Use "undertake an inquiry" to describe the initiation of a formal investigation. For example, "The committee decided to undertake an inquiry into the recent allegations of misconduct".

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

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

Which is correct, "undertake an inquiry" or "undertake an investigation"?

Both "undertake an inquiry" and "undertake an investigation" are correct, but "inquiry" suggests a more formal and systematic examination. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "undertake an inquiry" and "look into the matter"?

"Undertake an inquiry" implies a structured, formal investigation, while "look into the matter" is a more casual expression suggesting a less formal and possibly preliminary examination.