enquiries: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; common in official, business, and academic contexts. Less common in casual spoken English.
Quick answer
What does “enquiries” mean?
The plural form of 'enquiry', meaning acts of asking for information, official investigations, or requests for assistance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'enquiry', meaning acts of asking for information, official investigations, or requests for assistance.
Enquiries can also refer to a department or desk that handles public questions (e.g., 'customer enquiries'), or a sustained process of research and investigation into a subject.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'enquiries' is the standard plural spelling. In American English, 'inquiries' is overwhelmingly preferred. The British 'enquiries desk' is equivalent to the American 'information desk'.
Connotations
In the UK, 'enquiries' sounds neutral or slightly formal. In the US, using 'enquiries' may be perceived as a British spelling affectation or a mistake.
Frequency
'Enquiries' is high-frequency in UK official/business writing; extremely low frequency in US English, where 'inquiries' dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “enquiries” in a Sentence
make enquiries about [something]direct enquiries to [someone/somewhere]handle enquiries from [someone]enquiries concerning/regarding [topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enquiries” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She enquired about the train times.
- We are enquiring into the matter.
American English
- She inquired about the train schedule.
- We are inquiring into the matter.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her enquiringly.
- She asked enquiringly about the results.
American English
- He looked at her inquiringly.
- She asked inquiringly about the results.
adjective
British English
- The enquiry desk is over there.
- He made an enquiry call.
American English
- The inquiry desk is over there.
- He made an inquiry call.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
All customer enquiries should be directed to the support team.
Academic
The scholar's enquiries into medieval manuscripts took several years.
Everyday
I made a few enquiries at the town hall about planning permission.
Technical
The software logs all user enquiries to the help database.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enquiries”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enquiries”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enquiries”
- Using 'enquiries' in American English contexts.
- Misspelling as 'enquirys'.
- Using a singular verb with the plural 'enquiries' (e.g., 'Enquiries is handled here' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is understood but very uncommon and considered a British spelling. Americans almost exclusively use 'inquiries'.
In formal British English, an 'enquiry' is a question, and an 'inquiry' is a formal investigation. In practice, especially in the plural, 'enquiries' is often used for both. In American English, 'inquiry' covers both meanings.
It is strictly plural. The singular is 'enquiry' (UK) or 'inquiry' (US).
In British English, it's pronounced /ɪnˈkwaɪəriz/, with the stress on the second syllable: in-KWY-uh-reez.
The plural form of 'enquiry', meaning acts of asking for information, official investigations, or requests for assistance.
Enquiries is usually formal to neutral; common in official, business, and academic contexts. less common in casual spoken english. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make enquiries”
- “Field enquiries (to handle incoming questions)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a QUEen making formal ENQuirIES at her royal desk.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A TERRITORY TO BE EXPLORED (e.g., 'pursuing an enquiry').
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is most appropriate for a UK company's website contact page?