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Enquire vs Inquire - What's the difference?

enquire | inquire | Alternative forms |

Inquire is a alternative form of enquire.



As verbs the difference between enquire and inquire

is that enquire is to make an enquiry while inquire is to ask (about something).

enquire

English

Alternative forms

* inquire (chiefly US)

Verb

(enquir)
  • To make an enquiry.
    • He enquired about the availability of rental bicycles in the town.
  • (archaic) To ask about (something).
  • * (rfdate) (John Milton)
    • ''Having thus at length enquired the truth concerning Law and dispense.
  • * (rfdate) (Byron)
    • And all obey and few enquire his will.

    Usage notes

    (unreferenced) In the USA, inquire' is generally used in place of '''enquire'''. Where '''enquire''' is used (particularly in the UK), it means a non-official enquiry (such as to ask a question), whereas '''inquire''' is used in legal or government context where official transcripts are generated. In the USA, this distinction is not made and ' inquire is used generally.

    Related terms

    * enquiry

    inquire

    English

    Alternative forms

    * enquire (chiefly British)

    Verb

    (intransitive'' or ''transitive )
  • (lb) To ask (about something).
  • To make an inquiry or an investigation.
  • *
  • *:"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day.A strong man—a strong one; and a heedless." ¶ "Of what party is he?" she inquired , as though casually.

    • Usage notes

    * In British English, the spelling enquire' is more common, with '''inquire''' often reserved for official inquests. In Canada and the US, both spellings are acceptable, though ' inquire is favored.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Related terms

    * inquiry * query

    Derived terms

    * inquire after * inquire of

    See also

    * inquest * inquisition * inquisitive * inquisitor English reporting verbs ----