‘Inquire’ versus ‘enquire’: When to use which

The words “inquire” and “enquire” not only sound similar, but they’re only separated by one letter. Therefore, it might be easy to assume that they mean the exact same thing. But as with most quirks in the English language, there are differences in grammar, usage, and origin between these too-similar words! Learn how to distinguish “inquire” and “enquire,” so you’ll improve your writing and avoid confusion.

”Inquire” versus “enquire:” What’s the difference?

“Inquire” and “enquire” both have the same roots from the Latin word quaere, which means “to ask.” In fact, the same word quaere is still used in the legal profession.

However, in day-to-day use, the word “enquire” (or “enquiry”) means to ask a general question, both formally and informally, while “inquire” (or ‘inquiry”) is much more formal and used to request information in legal or official investigations.

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For example, you can enquire about the opening hours of a store or restaurant, send an enquiry about a wedding invitation, and have your enquiry answered by customer support. However, an attorney can open a judicial inquiry into an upcoming case, while a police officer will inquire as to where a suspect was on the date of a crime.

How do “inquire” and “enquire” differ across the pond?

We use these two words differently than our British counterparts. American English makes no distinctions between the formality between “enquire” and “inquire,” and you’ll likely come across these words used interchangeably.

However, in British English, there are more established rules for when to use each word. In this case, “enquire” adheres to its original meaning of a general question, and you’ll likely use it more often to ask for quick details than if conducting official government business.

This is why some believe that “enquire” is the British spelling, while “inquire” is American. While both words appear in American usage, the frequent and broad use of “enquire” makes it less suitable in writing aimed at Americans.

When to use “inquire” or “inquiry”

If you’re writing for an American audience, you can use “inquire” and “inquiry” for any general query. Some examples include:

Amelia went to the shoe store to inquire about any job openings.
The customer service desk is currently processing my inquiry.
The ruling of the Judicial Inquiry Board cannot be appealed.
The insurance company just inquired as to who was at fault in the car accident.

“In America, both words are used interchangeably, but “inquiry” is the more common word—though “enquiry” isn’t a Britishism, either!”

When to use “enquire” or “enquiry”

The following examples show how “enquire” and “enquiry” can be used for everyday questions, as fitting with the original meaning and definition of these words:

Tom enquired the doorman about where the restrooms were.
As to your enquiry about your invitation, I’m afraid it’s been lost in the mail.
The couple would like to enquire about the brunch menu.
My father saw an open position at the university and sent an email enquiry to the department chair.

In conclusion, you’ll likely run into “enquire” or “enquiry” more often in the UK, and if you work with formal investigations, you’ll see the words “inquire” or “inquiry” used often as well.
In America, both words are used interchangeably, but “inquiry” is the more common word. Enquiry is not a Britishism, and there are more established rules for when to use each word in England. Learning the difference between these two words, no matter how subtle, can make a difference in the audience that you’re writing for, and shows that you’ve paid attention to the details.

If you’re looking to hone your writing, you can also learn about the differences between choose vs. chose, that vs. who, sentence vs. title case, and other grammatical subtleties that will help you clear up any confusion when you’re writing and editing.