inquire

IPA/ɪnˈkwaɪə(r)/
KK[ˌɪnkwˈaɪr]IPA/ɪnˈkwaɪər/

inquire — verb

  • inquirepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inquires3rd person singular
  • inquiring-ing form
  • inquiredpast simple

1. to ask questions in order to get information, especially in a polite or official

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to ask questions in order to get information, especially in a polite or official situation

Example

Mayumi inquired about the train schedule at the front desk before buying her ticket.

inquire about [topic] for asking information

The receptionist asked David to inquire whether the meeting room was still available.

inquire whether/if + clause for checking facts

Common collocations
  • inquire about
  • inquire whether
  • inquire if
  • inquire of
  • call to inquire
  • write to inquire
Synonyms
  • ask

    more general and less formal; suitable for all situations

  • query

    suggests doubt about correctness; more formal and often used in writing

  • question

    implies a series of directed inquiries, often in an interview or investigation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

inquire about [topic]

inquire whether / if [clause]

inquire + wh-word + [clause]

inquire of [person]

Usage Note

More formal than 'ask'. To name the person you are asking, use inquire of [person] rather than putting the person directly after the verb: 'She inquired of the clerk whether any tickets remained.'

Common Mistakes

I inquired him about the price.
I asked him about the price.' or 'I inquired about the price.
'inquire' does not take a direct personal object; use 'ask someone' or 'inquire of someone.'
She inquired me where the station was.
She asked me where the station was.
for everyday questions with a personal object, use 'ask' instead of 'inquire.'

2. to officially examine all the facts about a problem, crime, or accident in order

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to officially examine all the facts about a problem, crime, or accident in order to find out what really happened

Example

The government appointed a special committee to inquire into the causes of the factory explosion.

inquire into [topic] for formal investigation

Police are inquiring into the disappearance of two hikers in the national park.

Common collocations
  • inquire into
  • committee inquire
  • police inquire
  • official inquiry
  • launch an inquiry
Synonyms
  • investigate

    wider scope; can be informal or formal, scientific or legal

  • probe

    suggests a deeper, more thorough search; often used in journalism

  • examine

    general term for looking at something carefully

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

inquire into [matter / cause / issue]

Usage Note

The subject is typically an authority or institution (police, committee, government board). Always takes the preposition into to introduce what is being investigated.

Common Mistakes

The teacher inquired into my homework.
The teacher checked my homework.
'inquire into' is for formal investigations, not everyday checking.
She inquired the corruption case.
She inquired into the corruption case.
'inquire into' always requires the preposition 'into' for this sense.

3. to reflect on something in your mind because you really want to understand it or

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to reflect on something in your mind because you really want to understand it or find an answer

Example

Ignacio inquired of himself whether he had made the right choice by leaving his job.

inquire of oneself + whether for internal wondering

Rachid often inquires what life would be like if he had studied music, not law.

inquire + wh-clause for curiosity

Common collocations
  • inquire of oneself
  • inquire within
  • inquire whether
Synonyms
  • wonder

    the natural conversational alternative; less formal

  • ponder

    suggests deeper, more careful thought over time

  • question

    can mean to have doubts about something

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

inquire of oneself + wh-clause

inquire + whether + clause

Usage Note

Often reflexive (inquire of oneself) or used without a direct object. More literary than the other senses; in everyday speech, 'wonder' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

I am inquiring what you want for dinner.
I am wondering what you want for dinner.
for casual wondering about everyday topics, use 'wonder' rather than 'inquire.'
Phrasal verbs

inquire after

phrasal verb

To ask for information about someone's health or well-being.

Mia called her grandmother to inquire after her health.

Did you inquire after Tom when you saw his mother?

inquire into

phrasal verb

To investigate or examine something in detail.

The committee will inquire into the cause of the accident.

Police are inquiring into the missing funds from the charity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve seeking information, but they differ in formality and context. ASK (A1) is the most general and neutral term, suitable for any everyday situation — 'Can I ask you where the library is?' INQUIRE (B1) is more formal and suggests politeness or official procedure — 'I am writing to inquire about your prices.' QUERY (B2) implies doubt about the accuracy or correctness of a specific detail — for example, querying a charge on a bill. QUESTION (B1) often means asking a series of direct questions in a systematic way, such as in a police interview or a classroom test. For casual conversation, choose ask. For polite or written requests, use inquire. For checking accuracy, pick query. For systematic probing, use question.

ask ↗inquire ↗query ↗question ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • call to inquire
  • write to inquire
  • stop by to inquire

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'inquirere', meaning 'to seek into', formed from 'in-' (into) and 'quaerere' (to seek, ask). It came into English through Old French 'enquerre'. The spelling was later changed to match the Latin root, giving us 'inquire', while 'enquire' remains a common British variant with the same meaning.