enquiry
noun /ɪnˈkwaɪəri/
/ˈɪnkwəri/, /ɪnˈkwaɪəri/
(especially British English) (also inquiry North American English, British English)
(plural enquiries, inquiries)
- [countable] an official process to find out the cause of something or to find out information about something
- a murder enquiry
- enquiry into something a public enquiry into the environmental effects of the proposed new road
- to hold/conduct/launch an enquiry into the affair
Collocations CrimeCrimeCommitting a crime- commit a crime/a murder/a violent assault/a brutal killing/an armed robbery/fraud
- be involved in terrorism/a suspected arson attack/people smuggling/human trafficking
- engage/participate in criminal activity/illegal practices/acts of mindless vandalism
- steal somebody’s wallet/purse/(British English) mobile phone/(North American English) cell phone
- rob a bank/a person/a tourist
- break into/ (British English) burgle/ (North American English) burglarize a house/a home/an apartment
- hijack a plane/ship/bus
- smuggle drugs/weapons/arms/immigrants
- launder drug money (through something)
- forge documents/certificates/passports
- take/accept/pay somebody/offer (somebody) a bribe
- run a phishing/an email/an internet scam
- combat/fight crime/terrorism/corruption/drug trafficking
- prevent/stop credit-card fraud/child abuse/software piracy
- deter/stop criminals/burglars/thieves/shoplifters/vandals
- reduce/tackle/crack down on knife/gun/violent/street crime; (especially British English) antisocial behaviour
- foil a bank raid/a terrorist plot
- help/support/protect the victims of crime
- report a crime/a theft/a rape/an attack/(especially British English) an incident to the police
- witness the crime/attack/murder/incident
- investigate a murder/(especially North American English) a homicide/a burglary/a robbery/the alleged incident
- conduct/launch/pursue an investigation (into…); (especially British English) a police/murder inquiry
- investigate/reopen a criminal/murder case
- examine/investigate/find fingerprints at the crime scene/the scene of crime
- collect/gather forensic evidence
- uncover new evidence/a fraud/a scam/a plot/a conspiracy/political corruption/a cache of weapons
- describe/identify a suspect/the culprit/the perpetrator/the assailant/the attacker
- question/interrogate a suspect/witness
- solve/crack the case
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- detailed
- thorough
- full
- …
- carry out
- conduct
- have
- …
- be underway
- take place
- begin
- …
- report
- team
- process
- …
- at an/the enquiry
- during an/the enquiry
- in an/the enquiry
- …
- a steward’s enquiry
- the outcome of an enquiry
- the result of an enquiry
- …
- [countable] a request for information about somebody/something; a question about somebody/something
- enquiry (from somebody) (about something) enquiries from prospective students about courses
- We received over 300 enquiries about the job.
- Greetings and enquiries about family members tend to be in the local dialect.
- I'll have to make a few enquiries (= try to find out about it) and get back to you.
- For further enquiries, please call…
- All enquiries should be addressed to the customer services department.
- (British English) Two men have been helping police with their enquiries (= are being questioned about a crime, but have not been charged with it).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- exhaustive
- extensive
- thorough
- …
- flood
- stream
- make
- pursue
- send
- …
- desk
- office
- service
- …
- pending enquiry
- enquiry about
- enquiry as to
- …
- direct an enquiry to somebody
- [uncountable] the act of asking questions or collecting information about somebody/something
- scientific enquiry
- The police are following several lines of enquiry.
- a commission/committee of enquiry
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- careful
- systematic
- further
- …
- encourage
- enquiry concerning
- enquiry into
- an area of enquiry
- a board of enquiry
- a commission of enquiry
- …
- enquiries[plural] (British English) a place where you can get information
- Ask at enquiries to see if your bag has been handed in.
In British English people sometimes distinguish between enquiry and inquiry, using enquiry for the general meaning of ‘a request for information’ and inquiry for the more particular meaning of ‘official investigation’ enquiries from prospective students • a murder inquiry . However, you can use either spelling in either meaning. In American English inquiry is usually used in both meanings.