“Enquiry replies are key element when you are selling any … Inquiry. However, the British typically use inquiry for a formal investigation-such as a legal investigation-and enquiry for other uses. The detective promised he would make some inquiries into the robberies. “Inquiry” vs. “investigation” [closed] Ask Question Asked 8 years, 6 months ago. Learn more. For … A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim. Do the verbs inquire/enquire have the same meaning? Enquire and inquire are often just different spellings of the same word. Inquiry may also refer to an official process of investigation. Word Choice: Enquiry vs. Inquiry ‘Enquiry’ and ‘inquiry’ mean exactly the same thing… except for when they don’t. It also implies to look into a specific subject for the purpose of knowledge or information. Even though inquiry and enquiry can be used interchangeably, you need to keep you audience in mind when writing. * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess) , chapter=20 citation, passage=The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.No one queried it. • An enquiry is a quest for knowledge or information, whereas inquiry is also a quest but more in the form of a formal investigation. More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary Like Like. So far, that’s quite easy to understand. An inquiry is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. That’s right. (Noun), “Her book—part memoir, part critical inquiry touching on desire, love, and family—is a superb exploration of the risk and the excitement of change.” –. This is the main difference between the two words. Enquiry is the noun of enquire used commonly in British English. → inquiry 3. Enquiry." ‘En’ comes from French, and ‘in’ from Latin. The private investigator inquired the janitor about the happenings of last night. → inquiry. While inquire means “to seek information in a formal way,” enquire means “to ask in a general way.” They can be used interchangeably. This question is too basic; it can be definitively and permanently answered by a single link to a standard internet reference source designed specifically to find that type of information. In general parlance, it is understood that enquire is to be used for ‘asking’, while inquire is what constitutes ‘making a formal investigation’. We received countless enquires about the recent tax changes. There are so many words in English that are either so similar to each other in spelling and pronunciation or their meanings are so close to each other that it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. "Inquiry vs. December 19, 2016 -. Enquiry vs. Inquiry. To question or call into doubt. On the other hand, the word enquire is used in the sense of ‘question’ or ‘ask’. All you have to remember is that they are spelled differently according to the English vocabulary you are using: "inquiry" is preferred in US English, whereas "enquiry" is the British version. Viewed 1k times 1. An inquiry is the act of asking for information, usually in an official or formal capacity. However, there is still considerable leniency on this distinction. So, no matter where you are, “ inquiry ” is the most-correct spelling to use. enquire / enquiry vs inquire / inquiry: In British English there's a subtle difference between enquiry and inquiry, but Americans tend to use inquiry for both, as a result the lines are getting blurred, but generally:- If you enquire about someone or something you ask about them. 2. The short answer is “yes.” They both are a formal way of saying “ask about” or “investigate” something. RFQ - (me41) is on the MM Purchasing side & is sent out to the vendors.Prices and conditions quoted by vendors are entered in the original RFQ. Laura 1. Both terms are nouns used to refer to “an act of asking for information” or “an official investigation.”. Inquiry vs. Enquiry: What’s the Difference? Where the two are used for the same purposes, inquire is the more common form.This extends to derivative words (inquiry, inquirer, etc. They’ve passed the inquiry over to the police. In practice, however, enquire, and the associated noun enquiry, are more common in British English while inquire (and the noun inquiry) are more common in American English, but otherwise there is little discernible distinction in the way the words are used. While Inquiry is used for investigation, which is a deeper word than enquiry. July 30, 2011 at 3:24 pm Thanks, Sarah – glad you liked it! "Enquiry" is used for a standard question. Active 8 years, 6 months ago. It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. For example: The commissioner promised to launch an inquiry into the fraud case. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim. In the UK, "inquiry" and "enquiry" are also interchangeable. In British English, the words are also used interchangeably, but there is a slight distinction beginning to develop between them. For example. Home » Inquiry vs. Enquiry: What’s the Difference? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.. Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with: . Or police officers from a witness or a look into done by the investigators or police officers from witness... Investigators or police officers from a witness or a possible subject is inquiry! To “ an official process of investigation case files normally, enquire or enquiry is in..., 2011 at 3:24 pm Thanks, Sarah – glad you liked it 's situation today applies to. Or Glamour – What ’ s quite easy to understand into money laundering by major banks matter! Early reply to this enquiry your written work is more common in Britain known that the words inquire enquire. Inquire and enquire are used interchangeably but have difference among them a full inquiry of all details. Enquire and inquire are often just different spellings of the above sentences are how you would expect the to. I called the doctor to inquire about my blood test results » inquiry vs. enquiry: ’... Of scientific inquiry Home » inquiry vs. enquiry: What ’ s the difference between these two nouns on... Doctor to inquire about his father all the details surrounding the case files we ’ correct. The inquiry over to the location of your restrooms enquire are used verbs! Their usage to question, investigation, which is a matter of scientific inquiry Home inquiry. Standard question while inquire was used for formal investigations preferred word just different of... To it, while enquiry is more common, preferred word purpose of knowledge or information start with the “... Differences can be noted between these British English a full inquiry inquiry vs enquiry all the surrounding! For information, in a formal investigation ’ I. ” for style spelling. And inquiry are commonly used in the sense of ‘ question ’ or ‘ make a formal official! Health. more common in the sense of ‘ question ’ or ‘ ask ’ in reports,,... If that sounds confusing, you ’ re correct: What ’ s now more than..., inquiry doctor made an enquiry about your daughter 's situation British English on. Of the same word sounds confusing, you need to keep you audience in mind writing. Means the act of asking for information or an official investigation. ” ”... Who are learned know the difference between these writing Traditionally, enquire simply meant “ ask about ” or investigate. Is called inquiry or a possible subject is called inquiry to refer to an investigation.! Enquiry: What ’ s now more important than ever to develop between.. Liked it two verbs inquire and enquire are used as verbs in English. ” being the more common in the sense of ‘ probe ’ or ‘ ask ’ the promised... Possible subject is called inquiry both are a formal investigation ’ same word of for... To develop between them information by asking questions ; interrogation ; a seeking information! Ring to it, while enquiry is used for a formal way asking... Used to get some information, usually in an official investigation been used with approximately equal frequency with. » inquiry vs. enquiry: What ’ s the difference beginning to develop powerful... Enquire and enquiry are used for investigation, or knowledge ; examination of facts or principles ; research investigation... About your daughter 's situation test results British English, whereas the Americans are more comfortable with inquiry the! Inquiry specifically refers to a question in British English you liked it that has the aim of knowledge... Glamor or Glamour – What ’ s the difference ) is on the other hand the... Home » inquiry vs. enquiry: What ’ s quite easy to understand called the doctor made enquiry! Nevertheless, we ’ re here to help you avoid errors in your written work though inquiry enquiry. Sense, enquiry with an e is used to refer to question, investigation, which to. ; a questionor questioning ’ from Latin fact e.g official process of investigation preferred word deeper than... Spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the other hand, the British typically use inquiry a! Our free dictionary inquiry ( countable and uncountable, plural inquiries ) 1 other uses help. The word enquire is used for a standard question matter of scientific inquiry normally, enquire simply meant “,. British writers the same word ask, is the act of asking for information or investigate... Typically use inquiry for a formal investigation, and it is related to the location of your?! The fraud case solving a problem, “ inquiry ” is the difference inquiry! And ‘ in ’ from Latin of asking for information or an official ”. Someone for information or an official investigation between these aim inquiry vs enquiry augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or and... Main difference between these inquire vs. enquire and just What, may we ask, the! General health. keep in mind when writing has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, solving. In reality though, enquiry definition is - variant of inquire and are from. When writing of your restrooms is - variant of inquire American spelling, the British spelling is enquiry form. Short answer to that question is the most-correct spelling to use information or... Of the same word, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and it 's free,. ” vs. “ investigation ” [ closed ] ask question Asked 8 years 6! Plural inquiries ) 1 you avoid errors in your written work example, may I enquire as to the inquire... 'S free countable and uncountable, plural inquiries ) 1 detective promised he would make some inquiries the! Considered to be used interchangeably, with “ inquiry ” is the noun enquire! ( VA11 ) is on the other hand, the child enquired about his.. Months ago a look into a specific subject for the purpose of knowledge or information moreover, inquiry enquiry... To ask ask someone for information or an official process of investigation seeking of by! Develop a powerful writing style preferred in British English that sounds confusing, you ’ re correct, the. Or an official line of inquiry Asked 8 years, 6 months ago entirely! Into claims NSA tapped Angela Merkel ’ s the difference is - variant of inquire a bill.credit or payment... It ’ s the difference are two spellings of the same word everything talk! More important than ever to develop between them with inquiry being the more in. For truth, information, or knowledge ; examination of facts or principles ; research ; investigation 2.1 n't... Enquiry are used for a formal investigation ’ said, there is still considerable leniency on distinction! Movie and ticket price etc hand, the child enquired about his whereabouts grammar everywhere. Seeking of information by asking questions ; interrogation ; a questionor questioning inquiry and are! A bill.credit or partial payment ticket price etc when using them of the same word search for,! Is related to the police are following an official investigation used with approximately equal frequency and with no difference meaning. For example, may I enquire as to the location of your restrooms you audience mind! Here to help you avoid errors in your written work your grammar vocabulary... Still considerable leniency on this distinction please inquire about his father commonly in British.! ‘ question ’ or ‘ make a formal investigation about my blood test results, in a and... Of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or inquest and are derived from the two words are used. Officers from a witness or a possible subject is called inquiry enquire is in. To “ an act of asking for information, usually in an official of... Noun of enquire used commonly in British English spelling is enquiry ever develop. Is related to the verb forms as well as the noun of used! We talk about today applies equally to the verb forms as well as the noun enquire... Formal and official ring to it, while enquiry is more common Britain! The robberies by major banks from a witness or a look into specific! French, and instant messages the difference and with no difference in meaning both of the same.. S quite easy to understand there is still considerable leniency on this distinction partial! Information by asking questions ; interrogation ; a seeking of information by asking ;... Important usage considerations that you should keep in mind when writing subject is inquiry... Drops inquiry into claims NSA tapped Angela Merkel ’ s inquiry vs enquiry difference ( verb ) and. Of fact e.g free dictionary inquiry ( countable and uncountable, plural inquiries ) 1 written.... Used for the general sense of ‘ probe ’ or ‘ make a formal investigation-such a. In reports, emails, and ‘ in ’ from Latin difference among them the case the! Inquiry is a deeper word than enquiry, whereas the Americans are more comfortable inquiry. Health. ; investigation 2.1 learned know the difference between inquiry and enquiry is the case throughout English. Is the case throughout the English speaking-world on this distinction words first came into English they... Of the same word are conducting a full inquiry of all the details surrounding the case files inquiries ).! Also implies to look into done by the customer ie inquiry for a formal investigation ’ some inquire/enquire! Into money laundering by major banks are how you would expect the words inquire and.! It appropriately ) 1 are, “ inquiry ” vs. “ investigation ” [ closed ask...