Cool MateInquiry vs Request
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inquiry
Top 3,000 (common)B2noun
Request
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Request
| Inquiry | Request | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnkwəri//ɪnˈkwaɪəri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/ |
| Meaning | A question or asking about something. | to ask for something |
| Example | The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change. | I would like to make a request for a day off next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | make an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, primary inquiry, formal inquiry, inquiry process | special, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request, special, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request |
| Antonyms | answer, response | refuse, decline |
| 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'. | Using 'request' with a different preposition, such as 'request for'., Confusing 'request' with 'require'., Not using it in the correct form, like 'requested' instead of 'requesting'. |
| 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. | Used in polite or formal contexts. It may sound too formal for casual conversations, where simpler words like 'ask' are preferred. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Inquiry vs Request
What's the difference between Inquiry and Request?
Inquiry: A question or asking about something. Request: to ask for something
Which is more common: Inquiry and Request?
Request is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Inquiry and Request?
Inquiry is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Inquiry and Request the same CEFR level?
Inquiry: B2, Request: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Inquiry and Request?
Inquiry: noun, Request: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Inquiry: The teacher encouraged an inquiry into the reasons behind climate change. Request: I would like to make a request for a day off next week.
Can I use Inquiry and Request interchangeably?
Not always. Inquiry and Request 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.