Inquire vs Enquire

by Ali Hale

One of our readers, Susabelle wrote to ask:

Can you take on explaining the difference between “inquire” and “enquire?”

These are two spellings of the same word, which means to seek information about something or to conduct a formal investigation (usually when followed by “into”). The corresponding noun is enquiry or inquiry.

Either spelling can be used, but many people prefer enquire and enquiry for the general sense of “ask”, and inquire and inquiry for a formal investigation:

  • I enquired his name
  • The first enquiry in my inbox today was about lost property.
  • We are going to inquire into the incident.
  • The lawyers asked when the inquiry will be completed.

In practice, enquire and enquiry are more common in British English, and inquire and inquiry are more common in US English, for both informal questions and formal investigations. However, the Guardian (a British newspaper) tells writers to “use inquiry” and the Oxford English Dictionary seems to recognise inquire as the more dominant form, deeming enquiry:

”An alternative form of INQUIRE. The mod. Dicts. give inquire as the standard form, but enquire is still very frequently used, esp. in the sense ‘to ask a question’.”

So, it’s up to you which spelling you use, though if you’re writing for a particular publication, it’s worth asking about their house style. Sticking with inquire is probably best if you’re at all unsure, and whichever you pick, be consistent!

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7 Responses to “Inquire vs Enquire”

  1. Sally on September 7, 2008 4:36 am

    I’m wondering when to use cumulate and accumulate. Thank you.

  2. shahla on September 28, 2008 9:30 am

    Hi!
    could you tell me what’s different between the words of attempt,try,
    endeavour,effort?

    Thanks
    SHahla

  3. Sandy on January 19, 2009 12:32 pm

    whats the difference between the prefix in & un
    For example in the words indistinguishable & undistinguishable

  4. Rajbir D on February 5, 2009 9:24 pm

    Needed this info, I’m assuming enquire also falls under Canadian English as well.

  5. Sol on May 27, 2009 9:23 am

    Undistinguishable: This word does NOT exist, as far as any scholar is concerned — it is viewed as a spelling mistake.

    I hope this answers your question.

  6. Craig on June 25, 2009 8:29 pm

    Undistinguishable is definitely a word and means not being able to identify as in:

    The body was so badly burned that it was undistinguishable as human.

    Indistinguishable is also a word with a very subtle but discrete meaning. It means exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different as in:

    The twins were indistinguishable, one from another.

  7. blortz on October 25, 2009 1:31 am

    Craig comes closest

    In this context, ‘in’ connotes imprecision.
    “I can’t tell one from another”

    ‘un’ = not
    Viz: “He was an undistinguished leader.”

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