Difference Between: Inquiry vs. Enquiry

Inquiry or Enquiry?

If you speak American English, you can use inquiry to ask questions or carry out an official investigation – there is no difference:

• Roberta made inquiries about the hotel rooms. (correct)
• There will be an official inquiry into safety regulations at the factory. (correct)

The main thing to think about in British English is why the person or organisation is asking the question. If the question is for general information, use enquiry:

• Roberta made enquiries about the hotel rooms. (correct)
• Roberta made inquiries about the hotel rooms. (incorrect) 

If we are talking about an investigation conducted by an official organisation, we use inquiry:

• There will be an official inquiry into safety regulations at the factory. (correct)
• There will be an official enquiry into safety regulations at the factory. (incorrect)

The relationship between the people or organisation is not always important. For example, a manager-employee relationship is an ‘official’ one, but the reason the manager asks a question might not be part of an investigation:

• The manager made enquiries about the project’s completion. (correct)
• The manager made inquiries about the project’s completion. (incorrect)

The second example is incorrect because the manager is just asking questions; it is not an official investigation.

For an official investigation, use inquiry:

• The manager’s inquiry found evidence of employees spending too much time on social media. (correct)
• The manager’s enquiry found evidence of employees spending too much time on social media. (incorrect)

The first example is correct because the manager has conducted an official investigation that may contain statistics, data, and a verdict.

Here are some more examples of correct and incorrect usage of inquiry vs. enquiry:

• What evidence did the scientists’ inquiry provide on new energy sources? (correct)
• What evidence did the scientists’ enquiry provide on new energy sources? (incorrect)

• Tina made some enquiries about the vegan options on the menu. (correct)
• Tina made some inquiries about the vegan options on the menu. (incorrect)

• The journalist had an enquiry about whether the police would hold an inquiry into corruption in the force. (correct)
• The journalist had an inquiry about whether the police would hold an enquiry into corruption in the force. (incorrect)

Another way you can check whether you are using inquiry and enquiry correctly is to try changing the word inquiry to investigation – e.g. The inquiry revealed that income inequality had increased can also be, The investigation revealed that income inequality had increased.

Likewise, try changing enquiry to question – e.g. The football manager made some enquires about the players available on the transfer market can also be, The football manager had some questions regarding the players available on the transfer market.

The difference between enquiry and question is that we use enquiry in a polite or formal situation – e.g. May I make some enquiries regarding my dinner reservation?

What does inquiry mean?

Inquiry (noun) means: ‘an official investigation into something’.

Synonyms: Investigation, analysis, evaluation, examination

Set expressions: Line of inquiry (a particular way of researching something) – e.g. Good cop / bad cop proved to be a useless line of inquiry, murder inquiry, judicial inquiry, government inquiry, independent inquiry.

Additional meanings:

A method of investigation or obtaining information – e.g. The scientist needed another means of inquiry to evidence her findings.

Examples with inquiry in a sentence:

• At his inquiry, the doctor tried to justify his mistakes.
• The police have launched an inquiry into Downing Street parties during Covid.
• The government report was published at the end of a year-long inquiry.
• As a result of the inquiry, the police made several arrests.
• The public have called for an inquiry into corruption in politics.

What does enquiry mean?

Enquiry (noun) means: ‘a question about something’.

Synonyms: Question, query.

Set expressions: Often used in a compound noun for places where we can obtain information: enquiries, enquiry desk, National Rail Enquiries.

Examples with enquiry in a sentence:

• The National Police Hotline is receiving a lot of enquiries from victims of cybercrime.
• I have to field telephone enquiries as part of my job in IT support.
• Please contact us by email if you wish to make an enquiry.
• If you get lost on the university campus, go to the enquiries desk in reception.
• I have an enquiry regarding our dinner reservation – do we have a table for two?

Inquire or enquire?

There are also verb (action word) forms of inquiry and enquiry: inquire and enquire. The difference between these words is a little more confusing!

Again, in American English, we just use inquire. However, in British English we have to think about what we said above: an inquiry is ‘an official investigation’ and an enquiry is a ‘formal way of saying a question’. Inquire and enquire both mean ‘to ask a question’. The difference is that to inquire means ‘to ask a question that provides evidence for an investigation’:

• The police inquired about the suspect’s whereabouts that evening. (correct)
• The police enquired about the suspect’s whereabouts that evening. (incorrect)

The first example is correct because the answer to the question helps create evidence for the police investigation.

We use to enquire for questions about more general purposes:

• Lindsay enquired about the possibility of a double room at the hotel. (correct)
• Lindsay inquired about the possibility of a double room at the hotel. (incorrect)

The first example is correct because Lindsay is calling to ask a general question; the answer will not form part of an official investigation.

You can find many cases of inquiry and enquiry (and inquire and enquire) being used interchangeably – just look at the dictionary definitions! So don’t worry if you find it confusing. In fact, many experts disagree on the topic.

Quiz: Inquiry or enquiry?

Try these exercises to test your understanding of the commonly confused words – inquiry and enquiry. Remember to ask yourself: why is this person or organisation asking questions? Is it for an investigation (inquiry) or is it for general information (enquiry)?

Written by Sam Savage

— ESL Tutor

Sam Savage is a TEFL-qualified English tutor and writer from England. After gaining his TEFL qualification, he started teaching English in Spain in 2009. During this time, he also worked as an editor/translator for art organisations and publications in Madrid. He later returned home and graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a MA in Critical and Creative Writing. In his free time, he enjoys all things cultural, especially writing fiction. Sam is also a published author.