when he inquired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when he inquired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific moment when someone asked a question or sought information. Example: "When he inquired about the project timeline, the manager provided a detailed overview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Under contract through 2012, he recently was rebuffed when he inquired about a longer commitment.

The New York Times - Sports

When he inquired, he said an office manager told him that the records had been archived.

The New York Times

When he inquired after a dog or a cat, she reported that she didn't have any.

The New Yorker

The hotel removed the fee from his bill when he inquired about it, Mr. Wapner said.

The New York Times - Travel

When he inquired about the matter, the lady said, "Cellos and bass fiddles go half fare".

The New Yorker

Still, Mr. Big seemed pleased by the woman's sense of privacy when he inquired about her father's job.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Stalin was the Bolsheviks' minorities expert and thus it rings true when he inquires whether Hoxha's Albanians and those of the Caucasus and Crimea are related.

The Guardian - Books

When he inquires why the Fool cries, he evinces sympathetic identification, not curiosity or fear; he stops his guards from arresting the Fool because he is weary of everything.

The New York Times - Arts

When she inquired further, he said, "I will not talk to you about this," demanding again to speak to her son.

The New Yorker

When she inquired whether he had been charged with any crime, they said no, so she readily agreed, thinking Craig would soon be back with her.

The Guardian

When he first inquired about the vacant post office across the road from Ossining High School, Dr. Ippolito was told that another buyer had signed a contract for it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when he inquired" to clearly indicate a specific point in time when someone sought information, especially when narrating events or providing explanations. Ensure that the context makes it clear who "he" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "inquire" in overly casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted. Use "ask" in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he inquired" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by specifying the time at which an action occurred. It provides temporal context, indicating when someone sought information or asked a question. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various narrative and descriptive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when he inquired" functions as a temporal adverbial clause, primarily used in news and media to set the scene by specifying when someone sought information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its prevalence in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While generally neutral in register, leaning towards professional, the phrase can be replaced by simpler alternatives like "when he asked" in more casual contexts. When writing, ensure that the antecedent of "he" is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when he asked

Simpler and more direct synonym using a more common verb.

as he inquired

Changes the focus slightly to describe a process rather than a specific moment.

upon his inquiry

Formal alternative using a noun phrase instead of a clause.

on inquiring

More concise, using a gerund phrase.

at the time of his inquiry

Emphasizes the timing of the inquiry more explicitly.

after he made an inquiry

More verbose alternative highlighting the action of making an inquiry.

following his question

Focuses on the question being asked.

when he put the question

Highlights the act of posing a question.

during his questioning

Emphasizes the process of questioning.

upon questioning him

Changes the perspective to the one being questioned.

FAQs

What is a more casual alternative to "when he inquired"?

A more casual alternative to "when he inquired" is "when he asked". The verb "inquire" often implies a formal or official context.

How can I rephrase "when he inquired" to emphasize the formality of the situation?

To emphasize the formality, you might say "upon his formal inquiry" or "at the time of his official inquiry". This highlights the structured nature of the request.

Is it always necessary to specify who "he" is when using "when he inquired"?

Yes, it is essential to ensure the context clearly identifies who "he" refers to. If the subject is unclear, rephrase to specify the person by name or title.

What's the difference between "when he inquired" and "when he questioned"?

While similar, "when he inquired" suggests a search for information, whereas "when he questioned" often implies a more formal or probing investigation or doubt.