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Speculate vs Inquire - What's the difference?

speculate | inquire |

As verbs the difference between speculate and inquire

is that speculate is to think, meditate or reflect on a subject; to consider, to deliberate or cogitate while inquire is (lb) to ask (about something).

speculate

English

Verb

(speculat)
  • To think, meditate or reflect on a subject; to consider, to deliberate or cogitate.
  • * Hawthorne
  • It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society.
  • To make an inference based on inconclusive evidence; to surmise or conjecture.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=David Simpson
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=36, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Fantasy of navigation , passage=It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].}}
  • (intransitive, business, finance) To make a risky trade in the hope of making a profit; to venture or gamble.
  • Anagrams

    * ----

    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." ΒΆ "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)

    Derived terms

    * inquire after * inquire of

    See also

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