What is the Difference Between Enquire and Inquire?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The words "enquire" and "inquire" both mean to ask for information, investigate, or make an inquiry, but their usage differs slightly between American and British English. Here are the main differences:
- In American English, "inquire" is strongly preferred for all use cases, while "enquire" is rarely used.
- In British English, "enquire" is more common and can be used for both formal and informal queries, while "inquire" is reserved for formal investigations.
Despite these regional preferences, both words can be used interchangeably in most contexts without making a mistake. The traditional distinction between the two words is that "enquire" is used for general senses of 'ask', while "inquire" is reserved for formal investigations. However, in practice, "enquire" and its derivatives apply to informal queries, and "inquire" and its derivatives apply to formal investigations.
In conclusion, while there is no significant difference in the meaning of "enquire" and "inquire," it is essential to be aware of these subtle nuances to ensure proper usage in different contexts and writing styles.
Comparative Table: Enquire vs Inquire
The main difference between "enquire" and "inquire" lies in their usage and connotations in British and American English. Here is a table summarizing their differences:
Word | Meaning | Usage |
---|---|---|
Enquire | To ask a question or investigate (informal) | British and Australian English, less formal or informal scenarios |
Inquire | To ask a question or investigate (formal) | American English, both formal and informal situations |
In British and Australian English, "enquire" is used for asking informal questions or investigating, while "inquire" is reserved for formal investigations. In American English, "inquire" is used for both formal and informal situations, making it the more commonly used word.
- Inquiry vs Enquiry
- Inquiry vs Investigation
- Direct vs Indirect Questions
- Interrogative Pronoun vs Interrogative Adjective
- Explain vs Describe
- Which vs In Which in English Grammar
- Explore vs Discover
- Invoke vs Evoke
- Acquire vs Obtain
- Imperative vs Interrogative Sentences
- Formal vs Informal
- Search vs Find vs Seek
- Quote vs Quotation
- a vs the in English Language
- Say vs Tell
- In vs On
- In Future vs In the Future
- Difference vs Different
- Gerund vs Infinitive