enquire

Everyday

1. To ask someone for information: «enquire about train times». tree →
2. «Enquire into» means to investigate officially. tree →
3. «Enquire after someone» means ask how they are. tree →

In the lessons

A slightly formal word for «ask». On signs and letters: «Please enquire at reception», «Enquire within». In stories, a polite character «enquired after his health». Phrases: «enquire about», «enquire after», «enquire into», «enquire within».

Examples

• (formal) Please enquire at the front desk. tree →
• She enquired about swimming lessons. tree →
• He enquired after my grandmother's health. tree →
• The police will enquire into the accident. tree →
• I rang to enquire whether the museum was open. tree →
• «Is it far?» she enquired. tree →
• He enquired: ‘And who is the bridegroom?’ tree →

Note

UK often uses «enquire» for asking and «inquire» for official investigating; US mostly «inquire» for both. Nouns: «enquiry» / «inquiry». Formal; in everyday talk use «ask».

In Jewish tradition

A slightly formal word for «ask». On signs and letters: «Please enquire at reception», «Enquire within». In stories, a polite character «enquired after his health». Phrases: «enquire about», «enquire after», «enquire into», «enquire within».

Note

UK often uses «enquire» for asking and «inquire» for official investigating; US mostly «inquire» for both. Nouns: «enquiry» / «inquiry». Formal; in everyday talk use «ask».