Cool MateInquiry vs Query
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inquiry
Top 3,000 (common)B2noun
Query
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Query
| Inquiry | Query | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnkwəri//ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwɪəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwɪri/"]/ |
| Meaning | A question or asking about something. | A question you ask to get information. |
| Example | The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change. | Our assistants will be happy to answer your queries. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | make an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, primary inquiry, formal inquiry, inquiry process | customer, email, search, have, raise, email, query about, query as to, query concerning |
| Antonyms | answer, response | answer, response, reply |
| Common mistakes | 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'. | Confused with 'inquiry', thinking they mean the same., Using 'query' in very casual situations where 'ask' would be better., Incorrectly using 'query' with a subject instead of an object. |
| Usage notes | Use 'inquiry' in formal situations like business or academic contexts, not in casual conversations. It’s suitable for asking for information or clarification. | Use 'query' when asking for detailed information, especially in formal contexts like research or databases. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'question' might fit better. |
Frequently asked questions: Inquiry vs Query
What's the difference between Inquiry and Query?
Inquiry: A question or asking about something. Query: A question you ask to get information.
Which is more common: Inquiry and Query?
Query is the most common in everyday English.
Are Inquiry and Query the same CEFR level?
Inquiry: B2, Query: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Inquiry and Query interchangeably?
Not always. Inquiry and Query 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.