inquiry

Definitions

in- (into) + quir (from quaerere, 'seek') + -y = the act of seeking into something. Note in- here means 'into,' not the negative 'not.' It scales from a small question ('an inquiry about prices') to a formal probe ('a public inquiry into the crash').

Common Collocations

• 1.public inquiry公开调查
• 2.make an inquiry提出询问
• 3.inquiry into对……的调查
• 4.official inquiry官方调查

Example Sentences

• 1.

  We received hundreds of inquiries about the new course.

• 2.

  The government launched a public inquiry into the scandal.

• 3.

  For further inquiries, please email our support team.

Easily Confused

inquiry vs enquiry — In British English the two are traditionally split: enquiry = an everyday question ('a phone enquiry'), inquiry = a formal investigation ('a judicial inquiry'). American English uses inquiry for both. So if in doubt, inquiry is always safe.