inquire
gb/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ/ us/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ/
B2
English
~ 9000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
ask politely for information
To ask someone for information in a polite or formal way.
Usage pattern:
to inquire about [something] / to inquire whether [clause] / to inquire if [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners often use *inquire* in very casual speech where *ask* is more natural (e.g., saying “I inquired my friend” instead of “I asked my friend”). They may also drop the preposition and say “inquire something” instead of “inquire about something” or “inquire whether…”.
Synonyms
ask (More general and less formal; common in everyday speech.)
|
query (Slightly technical or formal; often used in business, IT, or customer service contexts.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not ask or show interest, which is the opposite of trying to get information.)
|
inform (To give information rather than request it.)
Collocations
inquire about
|inquire whether
|inquire further
|politely inquire
|inquire with the company
|inquire by email
Themes
communication
|work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You should inquire about the refund policy before you book the tickets.
- Several journalists called to inquire whether the minister would attend the meeting.
- If you are interested in the position, please inquire with our HR department.
- Parents frequently inquire about the school’s safety procedures.
- I’m writing to inquire if there are any rooms available next weekend.
Learner examples
- I will inquire about the price of the car.
- She called the hotel to inquire if they had a room.
- You can inquire with the office for more information.
- He sent an email to inquire about the job.
- They inquired whether the store was open on Sunday.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
investigate a matter formally
To carefully study and ask questions about a problem or situation, usually in a formal way.
Usage pattern:
to inquire into [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *inquire into* with *inquire about*. *Inquire into* is usually used for more serious or official investigations (e.g., crimes, problems, scandals), while *inquire about* is for general information requests.
Synonyms
investigate (The most direct equivalent; slightly more common and not necessarily as formal-sounding.)
|
probe (Suggests a deep or sometimes aggressive investigation.)
Antonyms
cover up (To hide or prevent an investigation, the opposite of inquiring into something.)
|
overlook (To fail to examine or investigate something that could be checked.)
Collocations
inquire into the matter
|inquire into allegations
|inquire into the causes
|police are inquiring into
|a committee will inquire into
|inquire into possible fraud
Themes
law
|politics
|work
|media
Examples
- The board has agreed to inquire into the recent financial irregularities.
- Police are inquiring into reports of corruption at the local council.
- An independent panel will inquire into the causes of the accident.
- The ministry promised to inquire into the delay in delivering the aid.
- Journalists continue to inquire into the company’s overseas activities.
Learner examples
- The government will inquire into the problem.
- Police are inquiring into the crime.
- A special group will inquire into the cause of the fire.
- The school decided to inquire into the complaints from parents.
- They want to inquire into how the money was used.
unknown
formal
C1
action
3
ask about someone’s health
To ask how a person is, or how their life or health is.
Usage pattern:
to inquire after [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners rarely use *inquire after* and may try to say *inquire about you* when they mean checking on health or well-being. In everyday speech, *ask after you* is more natural; *inquire after* is mostly written or quite formal.
Synonyms
ask after (A more common and slightly less formal expression with the same meaning.)
|
check on (More informal; often suggests making sure someone is safe or okay.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to show care or interest in how someone is doing.)
Collocations
inquire after [someone]
|kindly inquired after
|friends inquired after her
|neighbors inquired after his health
Themes
relationships
|communication
|health
Examples
- She called to inquire after your mother, as she heard she had been ill.
- Old friends from the village still inquire after him every Christmas.
- Our neighbors often inquire after the children when they see us.
- Several colleagues inquired after his health while he was in hospital.
- People from the community have been inquiring after the family since the accident.
Learner examples
- My aunt called to inquire after my father.
- Friends from work inquired after me when I was sick.
- He sent a message to inquire after her health.
- The teacher inquired after the students who were absent.
- Many people inquired after the baby.
Verb
formal
C2
action
4
ask to see a person
To ask if a person is there so you can see or talk to them.
Usage pattern:
to inquire for [someone]
Common mistake:
This pattern is not very common; learners usually say *ask for* instead. When they do use *inquire*, they sometimes drop the preposition and say *inquire the manager* instead of *inquire for the manager*.
Synonyms
ask for (More common and neutral; used in both formal and informal situations.)
Antonyms
avoid (To intentionally not meet or talk to a person, the opposite of asking to see them.)
Collocations
inquire for the manager
|inquire for the doctor
|someone inquired for you
|guests inquired for the host
Themes
communication
|work
|relationships
Examples
- Several customers have inquired for the manager this morning.
- A young woman came to the office and inquired for Mr. Patel.
- If anyone inquires for me, please tell them I’ll be back at three.
- A man in a suit inquired for the director and left his card.
- Patients should inquire for the duty nurse at the reception desk.
Learner examples
- A man came in and inquired for the boss.
- If someone inquires for me, please call my phone.
- She went to the front desk to inquire for the doctor.
- Many people inquired for the manager after the meeting.
- You can inquire for the teacher in the office.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inquire
IPA
GB/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ/
US/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
in - quire (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (quire)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: inquire
- 3rd Person Singular: inquires
- Present Participle: inquiring
- Past: inquired
Word family
Forms
inquires
verb
inquiring
verb
inquired
verb
Core family
inquiry
noun B1
inquirer
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
Expressions
inquire about [something]
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
formal
ask for information about something
To ask for information about a particular thing or subject.
Examples
- She called the airline to inquire about the status of her flight.
- Parents often inquire about class sizes before enrolling their children.
inquire after [someone]
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ ˈæftɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
phrasal verb
formal
ask about someone’s well-being
To ask how a person is, especially about their health or life situation.
Examples
- Several old neighbors have been inquiring after you since you moved away.
- He stopped by to inquire after her father, who had recently had surgery.
inquire into [something]
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ ˈɪntu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
formal
formally investigate a matter
To investigate a problem, event, or situation in a careful and often official way.
Examples
- The university has set up a committee to inquire into the exam leak.
- Authorities are inquiring into possible safety failures at the plant.
inquire of [someone]
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ əv sˈʌmwˌʌn/
phrasal verb
formal
ask a person a question
To ask a question to a particular person, usually in a formal context.
Examples
- You may inquire of the receptionist if you need further details.
- Witnesses were inquired of separately by the investigating officer.
inquire within
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɚ wɪðˈɪn/
fixed phrase
formal
ask for details inside
Used on signs or ads to mean that you should go inside the building to ask for more information.
Examples
- The notice in the shop window read, “Sales assistant wanted – inquire within.”
- For more information about membership, please inquire within.