Explanation at your level:
When you want to know something, you ask. 'Inquire' is a big word for 'ask.' You can say, 'I want to inquire about the bus time.' It is very polite.
You use 'inquire' when you need information from a store or an office. For example, you can call a hotel to inquire about a room. It sounds very professional and kind.
At this level, you can use 'inquire' to sound more formal in emails. Instead of saying 'I want to know about the job,' you can write, 'I am writing to inquire about the job opening.' It shows you have good vocabulary.
The word 'inquire' carries a nuance of seeking official or detailed information. It is distinct from 'ask' because it implies a process of gathering facts rather than just a simple question. Use it when you are investigating or checking details.
In academic or high-level professional contexts, 'inquire' suggests a systematic approach to discovery. It is often used in the phrase 'inquire into,' which implies a deeper level of scrutiny or research. It elevates the tone of your communication significantly.
Mastery of 'inquire' involves understanding the subtle distinction between it and 'enquire.' While often interchangeable, some style guides reserve 'inquiry' for formal investigations and 'enquiry' for general questions. Understanding this nuance allows for precise, sophisticated writing in legal or formal literary contexts.
الكلمة في 30 ثانية
- Inquire means to ask for information.
- It is more formal than the word 'ask'.
- Commonly used with 'about', 'after', or 'into'.
- The noun form is 'inquiry'.
When you inquire, you are essentially asking for information. Think of it as the more formal, slightly more intentional cousin of the word 'ask.' While you might 'ask' your friend for the time, you might 'inquire' about the status of an order or the requirements for a program.
Using this word adds a touch of professionalism to your speech. It signals that you are looking for specific, often official, details. It is a fantastic verb to keep in your back pocket for emails, business meetings, or any situation where you want to sound clear and polite.
The word inquire has a deep history rooted in Latin. It comes from the word inquirere, which is a combination of in- (into) and quaerere (to seek or ask). This is the same root that gave us the word 'question' and 'query.'
Over centuries, it traveled through Old French as enquerre before settling into English. Interestingly, in British English, you will often see it spelled as enquire. While they are essentially interchangeable, 'inquire' is more common in American English, especially when referring to a formal investigation.
You will most often see inquire followed by the preposition 'about' or 'after.' For instance, you might 'inquire about the price' or 'inquire after a friend's health.' It is a staple in customer service and professional correspondence.
Because it is a bit formal, you wouldn't typically use it in very casual, slang-heavy conversations. Instead of saying 'Hey, I'm inquiring about the party,' you would just say 'I'm asking about the party.' Save 'inquire' for when you want to show respect or seek official information.
While 'inquire' is a straightforward verb, it appears in several fixed phrases. 1. Inquire within: A sign often found in shop windows meaning 'ask inside for more information.' 2. Inquire after someone: To ask how someone is doing. 3. Make inquiries: To conduct an investigation. 4. Inquire into: To research or investigate a specific topic. 5. Further inquiries: A phrase used to indicate that more questions are needed.
As a regular verb, inquire follows standard conjugation: inquired (past tense) and inquiring (present participle). In British English, the spelling 'enquire' is very common, but the pronunciation remains identical.
The IPA is /ɪnˈkwaɪər/. The stress is on the second syllable, 'kwy.' It rhymes with words like 'admire,' 'fire,' 'squire,' 'wire,' and 'entire.' When using it in a sentence, it is almost always followed by an object or a prepositional phrase, making it a transitive verb in most contexts.
Fun Fact
It shares the same root as 'question'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'in' followed by 'kwy-er'.
Very similar to UK, slightly flatter 'r'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'kwy' as 'kway'
- Dropping the 'n' sound
- Stress on the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Requires formal tone
Sounds formal
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
متقدم
Grammar to Know
Formal vs Informal Register
Inquire vs Ask
Prepositional Verbs
Inquire about
Transitive Verbs
Inquire + object
Examples by Level
I want to inquire about the price.
I want to ask about the cost.
Verb + about
I inquire about the train time.
She will inquire about the book.
They inquire about the school.
Please inquire at the desk.
We inquire about the weather.
He likes to inquire about things.
Can I inquire about this?
I called to inquire about the menu.
She inquired about the meeting time.
We inquired about the hotel rates.
They inquired about the lost bag.
He inquired about the job vacancy.
Please inquire with the manager.
I inquired about the bus schedule.
She inquired about the new class.
I am writing to inquire about your services.
The reporter inquired into the matter.
He inquired after his old friend's health.
We inquired about the availability of the tickets.
She inquired whether the store was open.
They inquired about the cause of the delay.
I inquired about the requirements for the course.
He inquired about the policy changes.
The committee decided to inquire into the allegations.
She politely inquired about the status of her application.
He inquired after the welfare of the children.
The detective inquired about the suspect's whereabouts.
They inquired about the possibility of a discount.
I inquired about the lecture series.
She inquired about the origin of the artifact.
We inquired about the terms of the contract.
The board launched a formal process to inquire into the company's finances.
He inquired after the progress of the research project.
She inquired whether the findings were conclusive.
The journalist inquired into the history of the scandal.
They inquired about the underlying causes of the economic shift.
I inquired about the feasibility of the proposed plan.
He inquired after the health of the CEO.
The professor inquired into the student's methodology.
The commission was tasked to inquire into the systemic failure of the project.
She inquired after the well-being of the refugees.
He inquired whether the evidence had been adequately verified.
They inquired into the philosophical implications of the theory.
The researcher inquired about the historical context of the document.
I inquired after the status of the ongoing investigation.
She inquired into the subtle nuances of the legal text.
He inquired about the validity of the claims.
تلازمات شائعة
Idioms & Expressions
"Inquire within"
Ask inside the building
There is a sign saying 'Inquire within'.
formal"Inquire after someone"
Ask about someone's health
He always inquires after my mother.
neutral"Make inquiries"
Do some research
I will make inquiries about the house.
formal"Inquiry into"
Investigate
The inquiry into the crash is ongoing.
formal"Without further inquiry"
Without asking more
He accepted the deal without further inquiry.
formal"Open to inquiry"
Able to be questioned
The policy is open to inquiry.
formalEasily Confused
Both are formal
Request is asking for an item; inquire is asking for info.
I requested a book; I inquired about the price.
Both relate to asking
Question is a noun or verb for a specific query.
I have a question; I inquired about the time.
Both imply looking for info
Investigate is a deep, formal study.
The police investigated the crime.
Both mean to seek info
Ask is neutral; inquire is formal.
I asked my mom; I inquired at the office.
Sentence Patterns
I would like to inquire about...
I would like to inquire about the schedule.
He inquired whether...
He inquired whether the store was open.
The committee will inquire into...
The committee will inquire into the matter.
She inquired after...
She inquired after his well-being.
May I inquire why...?
May I inquire why you left?
عائلة الكلمة
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
أخطاء شائعة
It is grammatically correct but sounds very old-fashioned.
You cannot inquire a person directly.
We use 'about' for topics.
Use 'with' when referring to a department.
Don't double up prepositions.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Question Mark' made of 'Ice' (In-).
Email Tip
Start emails with 'I am writing to inquire about...'
Politeness
Using 'inquire' makes you sound more respectful.
Preposition Rule
Always use 'about' for things.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with 'entire'.
No Direct Object
Never say 'inquire him'.
Latin Roots
It comes from the Latin 'quaerere'.
Word Family
Learn 'inquiry' and 'inquisitive' together.
Formal Writing
Use it in essays.
The 'Q' Sound
Ensure the 'kw' sound is crisp.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
In-quire: I need to get IN to the information by QUIRing (asking).
Visual Association
A detective with a magnifying glass.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Write three emails today using the word 'inquire'.
أصل الكلمة
Latin
Original meaning: To seek into
السياق الثقافي
None, very neutral.
Used in professional settings to show politeness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- inquire about a deadline
- inquire about a meeting
- inquire about a policy
At a hotel
- inquire about room rates
- inquire about check-out
- inquire about amenities
At school
- inquire about grades
- inquire about enrollment
- inquire about a course
Traveling
- inquire about flight status
- inquire about train times
- inquire about local tours
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had to inquire about a job?"
"Do you prefer to inquire by email or phone?"
"When was the last time you had to inquire about a service?"
"Is it better to ask or to inquire?"
"What is the most polite way to inquire?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to inquire about something important.
Why do we use formal language like 'inquire'?
Describe a situation where 'inquire' would be better than 'ask'.
How does your language handle formal questions?
الأسئلة الشائعة
8 أسئلةBoth are correct; inquire is more common in US English.
It is a bit formal for texting.
Yes, it is regular.
Inquiry.
No, you inquire about a topic.
Yes, it is very common.
They are related, but investigate is stronger.
in-KWY-er.
اختبر نفسك
I would like to ___ about the train schedule.
Inquire means to ask.
Which is a synonym for inquire?
Ask is the closest synonym.
You can 'inquire' a person directly.
You inquire ABOUT a topic, not a person.
Word
المعنى
These are common phrasal verbs.
I want to inquire about the job.
The police will ___ the accident.
Inquire into is for investigations.
Which is most formal?
Inquire is the most formal.
Inquire and enquire are often interchangeable.
They are, though regional preferences exist.
Word
المعنى
Word family matching.
A formal inquiry was launched.
النتيجة: /10
Summary
Use 'inquire' when you want to sound professional and polite while seeking information.
- Inquire means to ask for information.
- It is more formal than the word 'ask'.
- Commonly used with 'about', 'after', or 'into'.
- The noun form is 'inquiry'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a 'Question Mark' made of 'Ice' (In-).
Email Tip
Start emails with 'I am writing to inquire about...'
Politeness
Using 'inquire' makes you sound more respectful.
Preposition Rule
Always use 'about' for things.
مثال
I will inquire about the flight details.
Related Content
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
عبارات ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات communication
advice
A2اقتراحات أو إرشادات يقدمها شخص ما لمساعدتك في اتخاذ قرار أو حل مشكلة.
advise
A2تقديم اقتراح أو توصية لشخص ما.
aloud
A2التحدث بصوتٍ مسموعٍ وواضحٍ للآخرين.
break the ice
B1To do or say something that makes people feel more relaxed and comfortable in a social setting, especially when meeting for the first time. It is used to relieve tension or awkwardness in a group.
communication
B1عملية تبادل المعلومات أو الأفكار أو المشاعر بين الناس باستخدام الكلام أو الكتابة.
complain
A2أن تعبر عن انزعاجك أو استيائك تجاه شيء معين لا يعجبك.
congratulate
A2هو التعبير عن السعادة لشخص ما بمناسبة نجاحه أو حدوث شيء جيد له.
conversation
A2المحادثة هي حديث بين شخصين أو أكثر.
converse
B2تبادل الحديث مع شخص ما في حوار ودي أو رسمي.
disagree
B1الاختلاف في الرأي يعني أن لديك وجهة نظر مغايرة.
