enquiry
Americannoun
plural
enquiriesUsage
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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a statement, the Met Police said: "He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing."
From BBC
Panichelli was reportedly the subject of transfer enquiries at the end of the window, with Strasbourg quoting a price of £43m.
From BBC
Detective Inspector Stewart said police would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with enquiries.
From BBC
"A scene is in place while emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area as this work is carried out."
From BBC
"We'd respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
