Once you are through with this blog, you will no longer have doubts regarding inquiry and enquiry. You will access hacks to accelerate your English language learning too.
English can be a tricky language. For example, it has 24 letters but 44 different sounds, silent letters, homophones(words with the same sounds but different spellings and meanings).
And on top of it, there are spellings variations between British/Australian English and American English.
Phew, that is a lot to handle for anyone who is not a native English speaker!
The English language experts at Edulyte often have observed that learners struggle with using the two words “enquire” and “inquire.”
So they have created this blog to help you understand how to use these two words and explain the difference between them.
Difference between Enquiry and Inquiry
There is no earth-shattering difference between the two. Yes, you read that right. So then why the chaos over their use?
Well, both of them have a Latin origin and mean ‘to ask for information.’
And both of them are used in a formal situation.
You may use any one of the two. There is no harm in that. What should be kept in mind is the place you use it. There is a difference when you use these terms in the UK.
When to use Inquire vs Enquire?
A great many debates have occurred over this question.
Inquire is strongly used in American English. It is used when asking for details or general information.
Example of Inquire vs Enquire
The interview panel inquired about my work experience.
If you wish to inquire about your application status, you need to visit the office in person.
My friends enquired about my health after my operation.
May I enquire about the cost of this dress?
My friends enquired about my health after my operation.
May I enquire about the cost of this dress?
What are enquiry and inquiry?
They are just the noun forms of the verbs enquire and inquire. They have the same meaning, “asking for information or “investigating”.
American English uses inquiry for both meanings, whereas British and Australian English prefer enquiry for “asking for information” and inquiry for “an investigation.”
Pronunciation of inquire and enquire
A constant worry for non-native English speakers is the pronunciation of words. So are inquire and enquire pronounced the same way? If you are conversing with a native English speaker and there is a constant flow of words, both sound the same.
If spoken slowly with enunciation, there is a difference in how these words are spoken. A better way to understand the pronunciation is with the help of the table below:
When you hear the native speaker use the words, they would sound the same to you, but it isn’t so. So practice speaking the words slowly to get the pronunciation correct.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Inquiry means to ask or to investigate. It can be easily used in a sentence like:
Inquired about his well being.
In American English, inquire is used for both formal and informal situations. But traditionally, in British/Australian English, it is employed for formal scenarios:
The trustees inquired the dean about the admission scandal in the university.
Inquire means to ask or to investigate. In British/Australian English, it means formal investigation. These days it is used to mean asking for general information as well.
Example: We inquired about the musical’s show timings at the theatre.
Enquire is a word that is used in British or Australian English. It means to ‘ask.’ Enquiry is used in less formal or informal scenarios.
Example: My aunt enquired about the shop where I bought the organic produce.
English in Australia shares an affinity with British English. The spellings and vocabulary are also more in sync with British English. So an apartment is a flat in Australia, and traveled is travelled.
Of course, English has been adapted and changed to include several slangs which are uniquely Aussie.
Breakfast is Breaky
Sunglasses are Sunnies
Good on ya means well done.
Also, the pronunciation is distinctive from English heard in other parts of the globe. For example, Australian English is not a rhotic variety. This means the/r/ sounds pattern is more similar to British English than American English.
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