Should I use inquiry or enquiry?

Summary. In US English, you should always use inquiry and inquire, regardless of the formality of the investigation. In British English, inquiry and inquire are used to describe formal/official investigations and lines of questioning, whereas enquire and enquiry are used in less formal investigations.

What is the difference between inquiry and Enquiry?

Traditionally, enquire simply meant “ask,” while inquire was used for formal investigations. In the UK, the two words are used interchangeably, although inquire is still the more commonly used word for formal or official investigations. In the United States, inquire is the strongly preferred spelling in all uses.

Do Australians say inquiry or enquiry?

‘Enquire’, and the associated noun ‘enquiry’, are more common in British English, while ‘inquire’ and ‘inquiry’ are more common in American English. In Australia, we use either spelling although enquire and enquiry for the general sense of ‘ask’, and inquire and inquiry for a formal investigation, is preferred.

How do you use inquiry?

Examples of inquiry in a Sentence She refused to answer inquiries from the media about her marriage. The board ordered an inquiry to determine whether the rules had been followed. Further inquiry showed that he had visited the city twice before. The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry.

How do you use enquiry in a sentence?

(1) I want to make an enquiry about train times. (2) The enquiry must be independently conducted. (4) These comments are not directly relevant to this enquiry. (5) Judge Langdale is to preside over the official enquiry into the case.

How do you spell inquiry in Canada?

Noun Form: Inquiry Vs. Like the verb forms, both noun forms are formal and refer to “asking for information” or “an investigation.” American and Canadian English use inquiry for both meanings, whereas British English prefers enquiry for “asking for information” and inquiry for “an investigation.”

Is enquiry a word?

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.

Are inquire and Enquire the same?

The traditional distinction between the verbs enquire and inquire is that enquire is to be used for general senses of ‘ask’, while inquire is reserved for uses meaning ‘make a formal investigation’.

Are Enquire and inquire the same?

While inquire means “to seek information in a formal way,” enquire means “to ask in a general way.” They can be used interchangeably. Inquire and enquire both originate from the same Latin word, meaning to seek. Both words mean to request information or examine facts.

Is it “inquiry” or “enquiry?

This is the case with the words “inquiry” and “enquiry.” So, is it “inquiry” or “enquiry?” Which one should you use? “Inquiry” conveys both a formal investigation and a normal questioning. You should use it to convey the first meaning when you are writing in British English and the second meaning when writing in American English.

What is an example of an enquiry?

For example, you might see an enquiry desk at a library, or you might make an enquiry (ask) if someone is feeling well. The same rule applies for the verbs inquire and enquire.

What is the difference between an inquiry and an investigation?

The word “inquiry” is being used in relation to a formal inquest (i.e., an investigation), while “enquiry” is being used to denote “the act of questioning.” However, there is still considerable leniency on this distinction.

What is the difference between inquire and enquire?

The verbs inquire and enquire are synonyms for the verbs ask or investigate. In US English, you should use inquire in all situations. In British English, use inquire for formal investigations and enquire for less formal questioning. I’d like to inquire about the position of head chef.