Showing results for "enquiry"

• a variation of inquiry.

enquiry

American  

[en-kwahyuhr-ee, en-kwuh-ree] / ɛnˈkwaɪər i, ˈɛn kwə ri /

noun

• enquiries
  plural

1. inquiry.

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Usage

What's the difference between enquiry and inquiry? Enquiry and inquiry have the same meanings: a question, an investigation, a request for information, or the process of seeking information. Enquiry is a less common variant of inquiry. Their verb forms—enquire and inquire—also mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Both enquiry and inquiry are somewhat formal, especially compared to similar terms like question or investigation. Some speakers of British English may use both words, preferring enquiry in contexts that are less formal. In the U. S., enquiry is rarely used. Here’s an example of enquiry used correctly in a sentence. Example: I forwarded you an email with an enquiry about the open position. Inquiry could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Most of these same distinctions apply to the verbs enquire and inquire. To learn more about them, read the full breakdown of the difference between enquire and inquire.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• enquiries
  plural

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Explanation

The noun enquiry is a British spelling of the word "inquiry." Both words mean the act of asking questions to gain information. If you are in London, you can make enquiries about the opening times of the many museums there. Although enquiry is now considered the variant spelling in the United States, it was the original English spelling of the word that comes from the Old French word enquerre. The noun also means a systematic investigation, usually undertaken for the benefit of the public. If you discover pollution in your local river, the government may open an enquiry into the source of the pollution and ways to clean it up.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

enquiry enquiries

The company expects its current contract win momentum to extend into 2027, with healthy enquiry pipelines across multiple vessel types, the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

ABP said it received an enquiry about landing recovered migrants.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

It added: "Prior to the Observer enquiry, we had not received any concerns about the book's content."

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Daera said "no active discharge was found" but "a definite line of enquiry is being followed regarding the source of the pollution".

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Too many farmers had assumed, without due enquiry, that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

"The investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

"As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question. An update will be provided in due course."

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Phillip Marshall, head of Operation Stovewood for the NCA, said officers were carrying out proactive enquiries.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Within hours, however, counter-terror police announced that all five men would be released on police bail after "extensive interviews and enquiries".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make enquiries on the same subject of Bingley.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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Related Words

• inquiry
• inquisition
• query

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