What's the difference between: Enquire & Inquire

Question

Hi there,I would like to know what the difference between the words: enquire and inquire is? Is it a difference based on UK & USA English?Kind regards,Vaz

Feebs11 · Accepted Answer

There is no difference apart from spelling.

In Britain you will probably find "enquire" more than "inquire".

Vaz · Answer

Thank you.

Anonymous · Answer

0The difference is subtle but there is one; to enquire is to ask a question as in "which way to the train station" he enquired; to inquire is to investigate as in 'the policeman made inquiries'.02br
02br
00Enquire- ask a question02br
02br
00Inquire- investigate0-

Anonymous · Answer

Hi..better late than never.

Enquiry is used for a general question. Inquiry is used for a formal question. Friends enquire "where were you last night"?...the Police Inquire "where were you last night"?

The word inquiry has been missused (instead of enquiry) so often in the US that it is now used wrongly most of the time.

Anonymous · Answer

These are two spellings of the same word, which means to seek information about something or to conduct a formal investigation (usually when followed by "into"). The corresponding noun is enquiry or inquiry.
Either spelling can be used, but many people prefer enquire and enquiry for the general sense of "ask", and inquire and inquiry for a formal investigation:
* I enquired his name
* The first enquiry in my inbox today was about lost property.
* We are going to inquire into the incident.
* The lawyers asked when the inquiry will be completed.
In practice, enquire and enquiry are more common in British English, and inquire and inquiry are more common in US English, for both informal questions and formal investigations. However, the Guardian (a British newspaper) tells writers to "use inquiry" and the Oxford English Dictionary seems to recognise inquire as the more dominant form, deeming enquiry:

Mister Micawber · Answer

The above was copied and pasted from the [url=http://www.dailywritingtips.com/inquire-vs-enquire/] DAILY WRITING TIPS[/url] website.

Anonymous · Answer

In US enquiry and inquiry are same words
but in UK enquiry means a question and inquiry means an investigation...

Anonymous · Answer

To make an enquiry = noun. To inquire = verb. Inquiry = legal term for investigation.

- Yesterday I inquired about a job.
- Yesterday I made and enquiry about a job.
- Today they are having an inquiry about my job enquiry.

Fivejedjon · Answer

The Oxford ALD says:

In British English people sometimes distinguish between enquire and inquire, using enquire for the general meaning of 'ask for information' and inquire for the more particular meaning of 'officially investigare' [...]. However, you can use either spelling in either meaning. In American English inquire is usually used in both meanings.

I have added the blue emphasis.

Anonymous · Answer

hey thank you so much ???

What's the difference between: Enquire & Inquire

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