inquiry
noun /ɪnˈkwaɪəri/
/ˈɪnkwəri/, /ɪnˈkwaɪəri/
(also enquiry especially in British English)
(plural inquiries, enquiries)
- [countable] an official process to find out the cause of something or to find out information about something
- a murder inquiry
- inquiry into something a public inquiry into the environmental effects of the proposed new road
- to hold/conduct/launch an inquiry 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
- [countable] a request for information about somebody/something; a question about somebody/something
- inquiry (from somebody) (about something) inquiries from prospective students about courses
- We received over 300 inquiries about the job.
- Greetings and inquiries about family members tend to be in the local dialect.
- mkaI'll have to make a few inquiries and get back to you.
- For further inquiries, please call…
- All inquiries should be addressed to the customer services department.
- (British English) Two men have been helping police with their inquries (= are being questioned about a crime, but have not been charged with it).
- [uncountable] the act of asking questions or collecting information about somebody/something
- scientific inquiry
- The police are following several lines of inquiry.
- a commission/committee of inquiry
- inquiries[plural] (British English) a place where you can get information
- Ask at inquiries 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.