Cool MateInquire vs Investigate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inquire
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)B1verb
Investigate
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most formal: InquireMost common: Investigate
| Inquire | Investigate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪts/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪts/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to ask about something | To look into something closely to find out more information. |
| Example | I called the school to inquire about the application process. | The police will investigate the crime scene for new evidence. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | inquire about, inquire into, inquire if, inquire regarding, inquire as to | carefully, closely, in detail, ask somebody to, be called in to, decide to, for, carefully, closely, in detail, ask somebody to, be called in to, decide to, for |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard, ignore | ignore, overlook, disregard |
| Common mistakes | Using 'inquire' instead of 'require'., Confusing 'inquire' with 'enquire' (especially in British English)., Using 'inquire' without a specific subject (e.g., 'I want to inquire the details' instead of 'I want to inquire about the details'). | Confusing with 'invest' which relates to money or resources., Using as an intransitive verb; it requires an object (e.g., 'investigate the issue')., Mixing up with synonyms like 'examine' without understanding the context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'inquire' in formal contexts, such as business or official situations. It's less common in everyday conversation, where 'ask' is preferred. Avoid using it in informal settings. | Commonly used in formal contexts, especially in journalism, research, or law enforcement. It may not be seen as appropriate in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Inquire vs Investigate
What's the difference between Inquire and Investigate?
Inquire: to ask about something Investigate: To look into something closely to find out more information.
Which is more formal: Inquire and Investigate?
Inquire is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Inquire and Investigate?
Investigate is the most common in everyday English.
Are Inquire and Investigate the same CEFR level?
Inquire: B1, Investigate: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Inquire and Investigate?
Inquire: verb, Investigate: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Inquire: I called the school to inquire about the application process. Investigate: The police will investigate the crime scene for new evidence.
Can I use Inquire and Investigate interchangeably?
Not always. Inquire and Investigate 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.