Inquiry vs Question

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Inquiry

Top 3,000 (common) B2 noun

Question

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Most common: Question

	Inquiry	Question
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnkwəri//ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/
Meaning	A question or asking about something.	A sentence or phrase that asks for information.
Example	The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change.	The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 3,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A1
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	make an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, primary inquiry, formal inquiry, inquiry process	awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, burning, challenging, controversial, bring up, pose, raise, arise, go unanswered, remain unanswered, question about, question for, question of, come into, call into, be open to, beyond question, in question, without question
Antonyms	answer, response	answer, solution
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'.	Confusing 'question' with 'query' in formal contexts., Using 'questions' as a singular noun, e.g., 'I have a question' instead of 'I have questions.'
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 'question' in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate in classrooms, interviews, and casual conversations. Avoid using in situations where a statement is expected.

See it in real clips

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Ah. That is a very good question, Hastings.

There is a question I would like to ask.

Agent Carter › S1 E1

Which begs the question, why invent them at all?

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Ah. That is a very good question, Hastings.

There is a question I would like to ask.

Question

Frequently asked questions: Inquiry vs Question

What's the difference between Inquiry and Question?

Inquiry: A question or asking about something. Question: A sentence or phrase that asks for information.

Which is more common: Inquiry and Question?

Question is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Inquiry and Question?

Inquiry is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Inquiry and Question the same CEFR level?

Inquiry: B2, Question: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Inquiry and Question?

Inquiry: noun, Question: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Inquiry: The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change. Question: The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.

Can I use Inquiry and Question interchangeably?

Not always. Inquiry and Question 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.