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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Enquiry: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：formal investigation (enquiry)

enquiry 🔊

/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/

A formal act of asking questions to find out information.

Enquiry definition illustrated by a person completing a formal questionnaire for investigation.

formal investigation 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməl ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃən/

A systematic and official process of asking questions to gather information, often documented.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'in-' (into) + 'quaerere' (to seek, ask). Literally, 'to seek into'.

💡 Mnemonic

An ENQUIRY is how you QUEST for INformation. Remember 'INside, we QUESTION (QUIRE) to find out'.

📖 Example

The school sent out an enquiry to all parents about their children’s sleeping habits. 🔊 The school distributed a formal investigation to all parents regarding their children's sleeping habits.

🔗 Collocations

conduct an enquiry – To carry out an official investigation

official enquiry – An investigation authorized by an authority

line of enquiry – A specific direction or method in an investigation

🔄 Synonyms

investigation (n.) – A detailed, formal examination to establish facts.

probe (n.) – A thorough and penetrating inquiry, often by an official body.

inquest (n.) – A judicial inquiry, especially into a cause of death.

🚫 Antonyms

conclusion (n.) – The end or finish of a process, not its investigative beginning.

answer (n.) – A solution or response, the result of an enquiry.

🌱 Derivatives

enquire (v.) – To ask for information.

enquirer (n.) – A person who asks questions or investigates.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'enquiry' (or 'inquiry') entered English in the late 14th century via Old French 'enquerre', from Latin 'inquirere'. It reflects a formal tradition of seeking knowledge, central to legal, academic, and official procedures in English-speaking cultures.

Meaning 2：act of asking (enquiry)

enquiry 🔊

/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/

The act of asking a question or questions.

Enquiry meaning shown as a person asking for information at a public service desk.

act of asking 🔊

➕

/ækt əv ˈæskɪŋ/

The general act of asking a question or seeking information.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I went to the travel agency to make an enquiry about holiday packages to Japan. 🔊 I visited the travel agency to ask about vacation packages to Japan.

🔗 Collocations

make an enquiry – To ask a question or request information

customer enquiry – A question or request for information from a client

enquiry desk – A counter or station where information is provided

🔄 Synonyms

question (n.) – A sentence worded to elicit information.

query (n.) – A question, especially one expressing doubt.

request (n.) – An act of asking politely or formally for something.

🚫 Antonyms

answer (n.) – A spoken or written reply to a question.

response (n.) – A verbal or written answer.

🌱 Derivatives

enquire (v.) – To ask for information.