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Meaning & use

inquire

verb·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈkwaɪə/
US/ɪnˈkwaɪər/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitiveformal

    To ask for information about something, usually politely or officially.

    Grammar: Often takes about or after: inquire about prices; or a question word: inquire whether it is open.

    Patterns

    • inquire about something
    • inquire whether/if/how ...

    I am writing to inquire about the apartment you advertised.

    She called to inquire whether the package had shipped.

    Guests may inquire at the front desk for a map.

  2. verbintransitiveformal

    To investigate a matter carefully in order to find out the facts.

    Grammar: Usually followed by into: inquire into the cause.

    Patterns

    • inquire into something

    The committee will inquire into the causes of the delay.

    Officials promised to inquire into the complaint.

    Reporters began to inquire into the company's finances.

Word forms

third person singularinquires
past tenseinquired
past participleinquired
-ing forminquiring

Common combinations

inquire about
Several customers inquired about the discount.
inquire into
The panel will inquire into the accident.
inquire politely
He inquired politely whether the seat was free.
inquire after
She inquired after her old teacher's health.
inquire within
The sign in the shop window read 'Help wanted: inquire within.'

Synonyms and how they differ

ask
Ask is the ordinary everyday word and is less formal than inquire.
enquire
Enquire is the usual British spelling and means the same.
investigate
Investigate means to examine facts closely and always sounds serious, while inquire can be a simple question.
query
Query suggests asking a question about doubt or accuracy, as in query a bill.

Opposites

answerreply

Word family

inquiry noun
a question, or a formal investigation
inquirer noun
a person who asks
inquiring adjective
curious
inquiringly adverb
in a curious way
enquire verb
the British spelling

Commonly confused: inquire or enquire? inquire or acquire?

inquire vs enquire

Many British writers use enquire for a simple question and inquire for an official investigation, but American English uses inquire for both.

inquire vs acquire

Acquire means to get something, and it only looks and sounds partly like inquire.

Practice

Complete the sentence: 'The board will inquire ___ the cause of the fire.'

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