enquiry

enquiry — noun

1. a question that you ask someone because you want information or an answer about

1.名詞B1
釋義

a question that you ask someone because you want information or an answer about something, such as prices, times, or how something works.

例句

Nikhil made an enquiry about weekend train times at the ticket office.

make an enquiry about [topic]

The librarian said she would pass on my enquiry to the research team.

同義詞
  • question

    Everyday spoken and written use; less formal than enquiry

  • query

    Often used in computing or data contexts (database query); slightly narrower scope

  • request

    Broader — can include asking for actions, not just information

反義詞
  • answer

    The response that satisfies an enquiry

  • reply

    A direct response to a question or enquiry

文法句型

make an enquiry about [topic]

have an enquiry about [topic]

用法筆記

Commonly used with 'make', 'have', 'receive', and 'deal with'. The noun can be countable (an enquiry / enquiries) or uncountable when referring to the activity of asking ('Enquiry into the matter is ongoing'). In British English, this sense is traditionally spelled enquiry, while the official-investigation sense (sense 2) takes inquiry — but modern usage frequently blurs the distinction.

常見錯誤

❌I have an enquiry about the menu.
✅I have a question about the menu.
💡In casual spoken contexts, 'question' is more natural than 'enquiry'. Use 'enquiry' for slightly more formal or written requests.
❌Please enquiry at reception.
✅Please make an enquiry at reception.
💡'Enquiry' is a noun; 'enquire' is the verb form.

2. an official process, usually led by a committee or senior figure, that gathers f

2.名詞B2
釋義

an official process, usually led by a committee or senior figure, that gathers facts and evidence to find out why something bad happened or to examine a matter of public concern.

例句

The government has announced a full public enquiry into the train crash.

a public enquiry into [event]

The enquiry found that safety procedures had not been followed properly.

同義詞
  • investigation

    Broader term; can be formal or informal; not limited to public/official contexts

  • inquest

    Specifically a legal inquiry into a death; narrower scope

  • probe

    More informal and journalistic; often suggests aggressive or investigative reporting

  • review

    Less formal than an enquiry; often internal and less public

文法句型

a(n) [adjective] enquiry into [event]

hold / launch / order an enquiry into

用法筆記

In formal British English, this sense is more commonly spelled inquiry (especially in government and legal contexts). The verb form is usually enquire (general) or inquire (formal/investigation), but the distinction is not strictly observed in modern usage. Subject is typically a government body, company, or authority that orders or conducts the process. Frequently used with 'into' to specify the subject of the investigation.

常見錯誤

❌The police made an enquiry into the crime.
✅The police conducted an inquiry into the crime.
💡For formal/official investigations, 'conduct an inquiry' or 'hold an inquiry' is preferred over 'make an enquiry'.
❌I have an enquiry into the accident.
✅I have a question about the accident.' or 'There is an inquiry into the accident.
💡Personal questions use 'about'; official investigations use 'into'.