Inquire / Enquire

Zelenka · Dec 14, 2007

Could someone with a better grasp of grammar than I have please explain the correct usage of each of these? I'm forever getting them mixed up and never know which one to use.

Rolling Thunder · Dec 14, 2007

http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~brians/errors/enquire.html

ETA: Click on 'list of errors', too. You'll like what you find.

Zelenka · Dec 14, 2007

Thank you!

girlyswot · Dec 14, 2007

In terms of actual usage, I think it's also a British/American thing. 'Inquire' seems to be standard in the US and 'enquire' more usual in the UK.

Zelenka · Dec 15, 2007

Yes, I found that a bit odd - just the reason I thought there was a difference was that in my first year, we had this silly project thing on judicial inquiries, and we were told off for spelling it 'enquiries'. Which is weird since 'enquire' seems to be the British one. 'Enquire' was what my instincts were telling me for this particular situation though so that's cool.

Thanks folks

FennelGiraffe · Dec 15, 2007

JessRamage said:
Yes, I found that a bit odd - just the reason I thought there was a difference was that in my first year, we had this silly project thing on judicial inquiries, and we were told off for spelling it 'enquiries'. Which is weird since 'enquire' seems to be the British one. 'Enquire' was what my instincts were telling me for this particular situation though so that's cool.

Thanks folks

I can't find anything authoritative on it, but googling turns up some discussions suggesting that in UK English there is a distinction in the noun (inquiry/enquiry) that doesn't apply to the verb (inquire/enquire), in which "enquiry" is an informal question and "inquiry" is an official investigation.

girlyswot · Dec 16, 2007

Yes, that sounds right. If you were just asking a question it would be an enquiry, but if you were setting up an investigation into a political misdemeanour, that would be the Hutton Inquiry.

Inquire / Enquire

Zelenka

Going home!

Rolling Thunder

Zelenka

Going home!

girlyswot

Zelenka

Going home!

FennelGiraffe

It's green they say

girlyswot