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

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

A statement continued: "The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of enquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025."

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The Met said its detectives had "exhausted numerous lines of enquiry - including working with coroners – to identify whether Levy is responsible for any similar, unsolved incidents, including deaths".

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

The head of UK counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said in a statement that "we are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack".

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

South Korea sent more than 140,000 children overseas for adoption between 1955 and 1999, according to an official enquiry in the country.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

But Mr. Gardiner could not be seen, and Mr. Darcy found, on further enquiry, that your father was still with him, but would quit town the next morning.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and immigration authorities did not respond to enquiries from BBC Chinese.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The ASA said none of the apps' creators responded to its enquiries.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Two upcoming events in Belfast have been cancelled either by the overseas provider or the hotel, following enquiries by BBC News NI.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

"Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress."

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 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

Related Words

• inquiry
• inquisition
• query