Inquiry and Enquiry
Which word should I use- Inquiry or Enquiry ?
Inquiry And Enquiry
Meaning:-
- an official process to find out the cause of something or to find out information about something
- a request for information about somebody/something
So.. don't let yourself in confusion about Inquiry and Enquiry, you can use either of them. Generally British English prefers Enquiry and American English prefers Inquiry.
According to Oxford:-
In British English people sometimes distinguish between enquiry and inquiry, using enquiry for the general meaning of 'a request for information' and inquiry for the more particular meaning of 'official investigation'.
e.g.- enquiries from prospective students
a murder inquiry.
However, you can use either spelling in either meaning. In American English Inquiry is usually used in both meanings.
- You can use spelling Inquiry for Investigation and spelling Enquiry for a request for information.
- CBI is going to inquire this case. (investigation)
- Security guards inquired about his baggage. (investigation)
- An enquiry about admission fees by students. (Request for information)
- Tourists are enquiring about Taj Mahal. (Request for information)
Spelling Inquiry is used for Investigation. Here first two letters - In in Inquiry and In in Investigation are same. So you can learn In for Inquiry and In for Investigation. Same way for Enquiry, the first letter E is same as in the second letter of Request. You can learn Enquiry is for Request.
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