Cool MateEnquiry vs Inquiry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enquiry
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2noun
Inquiry
Top 3,000 (common)B2noun
Most common: Inquiry
| Enquiry | Inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnkwəri//ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnkwəri//ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/ |
| Meaning | A question or a request for information. | A question or asking about something. |
| Example | I made an enquiry about the availability of the product. | The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | detailed, thorough, full, carry out, conduct, have, be underway, take place, begin, report, team, process, at an/the enquiry, during an/the enquiry, in an/the enquiry, a steward’s enquiry, the outcome of an enquiry, the result of an enquiry, exhaustive, extensive, thorough, flood, stream, make, pursue, send, desk, office, service, pending enquiry, enquiry about, enquiry as to, direct an enquiry to somebody, careful, systematic, further, encourage, enquiry concerning, enquiry into, an area of enquiry, a board of enquiry, a commission of enquiry | make an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, primary inquiry, formal inquiry, inquiry process |
| Antonyms | answer, response | answer, response |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'inquiry'; 'enquiry' is often British English., Using 'enquiry' in informal contexts where 'question' is more suitable., Incorrect pluralization; 'enquiries' should not be replaced with 'enquiries'. | Used incorrectly as 'inquiries' instead of 'inquiry' when talking about one question., Confused with 'enquiry'; remember 'inquiry' is more formal., Not using 'make' to form the phrase 'make an inquiry'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'enquiry' in formal or business contexts when asking for information. In casual conversations, 'question' may be more common. Avoid using 'enquiry' in very informal settings. | Use 'inquiry' in formal situations like business or academic contexts, not in casual conversations. It’s suitable for asking for information or clarification. |
Frequently asked questions: Enquiry vs Inquiry
What's the difference between Enquiry and Inquiry?
Enquiry: A question or a request for information. Inquiry: A question or asking about something.
Which is more common: Enquiry and Inquiry?
Inquiry is the most common in everyday English.
Are Enquiry and Inquiry the same CEFR level?
Enquiry: B2, Inquiry: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Enquiry and Inquiry?
Enquiry: noun, Inquiry: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Enquiry: I made an enquiry about the availability of the product. Inquiry: The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change.
Can I use Enquiry and Inquiry interchangeably?
Not always. Enquiry and Inquiry are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.