Words / B1

in-KWEYE-uh-ree/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/

An inquiry is often an official investigation: a public inquiry; hold an inquiry into the crash. Enquiry is the usual UK spelling for an everyday question (make an enquiry about a bill). Both appear in the news. Inquire / enquire are the verbs. Do not write “an inquiry of the accident” — say an inquiry into. A survey collects answers; an inquiry looks for causes and blame.

Meaning

An official process to find out the facts; also a question (enquiry is common for everyday questions).

Examples

• “The government ordered an inquiry into the rail accident.”
• “MPs called for an independent inquiry into the hospital deaths.”
• “For a simple question about your order, the shop asked customers to email an enquiry, which is the everyday spelling.”

Good to know

a public inquiry into + event. Everyday question (UK): enquiry. Verb: inquire / enquire. Not “inquiry of”.

Near in meaning

investigation

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