Cool MateInquire vs It's my job to ask questions
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inquire
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)B1verb
It's my job to ask questions
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: InquireMost common: It's my job to ask questions
| Inquire | It's my job to ask questions | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪts maɪ dʒɒb tə ɑːsk ˈkwɛsʧənz//🇺🇸 //ɪts maɪ dʒɑːb tə æsk ˈkwɛstʃənz// |
| Meaning | to ask about something | I have the responsibility to ask questions. |
| Example | I called the school to inquire about the application process. | In this role, it's my job to ask questions. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | inquire about, inquire into, inquire if, inquire regarding, inquire as to | ask the right questions, job responsibilities, role in the team |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard, ignore | ignore inquiries, remain silent |
| 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'). | Misusing 'it's' versus 'its' - 'it's' means 'it is'., 'To ask questions' might be confused with 'asking questions' in different contexts., Omitting 'my' can make the sentence unclear. |
| 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. | Use this phrase in professional settings when explaining responsibilities. It's less appropriate in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Inquire vs It's my job to ask questions
What's the difference between Inquire and It's my job to ask questions?
Inquire: to ask about something It's my job to ask questions: I have the responsibility to ask questions.
Which is more formal: Inquire and It's my job to ask questions?
Inquire is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Inquire and It's my job to ask questions?
It's my job to ask questions is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Inquire: I called the school to inquire about the application process. It's my job to ask questions: In this role, it's my job to ask questions.
Can I use Inquire and It's my job to ask questions interchangeably?
Not always. Inquire and It's my job to ask questions 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.