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Prepositions with inquiry

How to use prepositions with inquiry

Inquiry combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean a question, an investigation, or a topic.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with inquiry

Use inquiry into for an investigation, inquiry about concerning a topic, and inquiry for when requesting information or services. Inquiry on and inquiry in are possible in limited contexts, while inquiry of is usually part of a larger phrase.

The committee opened an inquiry into the accident.
We received an inquiry about delivery times.
She made an inquiry for more details.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
inquiry into + issue

Investigating a subject

Use into for formal investigations or detailed examinations.

The newspaper demanded an inquiry into the allegations.
Officials launched an inquiry into safety failures.
2
inquiry about + topic

Asking questions about something

Use about for general questions or requests for information.

We received an inquiry about ticket prices.
He sent an inquiry about the course schedule.
3
inquiry for + thing

Requesting information or services

Use for when the inquiry requests something specific.

The office received an inquiry for technical support.
She submitted an inquiry for product samples.
4
inquiry on + subject

Naming the subject of discussion

On is sometimes used in formal titles or discussions about a topic.

The panel held an inquiry on public spending.
Researchers published an inquiry on language learning.
5
inquiry of + person

Formal requests directed at someone

Of can appear after nouns such as request or inquiry in formal language, especially with people or institutions.

The court made an inquiry of the witness.
Officials conducted an inquiry of the agency.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
inquiry into
The government ordered an inquiry into the fire.
Standard for investigations.
inquiry about
I sent an inquiry about the job opening.
Standard for questions or requests for information.
inquiry for
The company received an inquiry for pricing details.
Used when requesting something specific.
inquiry on
The university hosted an inquiry on ethics in science.
Possible in formal contexts when naming a topic.
inquiry in
She works in inquiry-based learning.
Here in is an adjunct within another expression, not a direct pattern selected by inquiry.
inquiry to
an inquiry to the embassy
Possible when to marks the recipient of the inquiry rather than combining directly with inquiry.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using to instead of about for topics

Use inquiry about for general questions.

✕ an inquiry to prices ✓ an inquiry about prices

Using in as the direct preposition after inquiry

Inquiry in is not a common fixed combination.

✕ an inquiry in the policy ✓ an inquiry into the policy

Confusing inquiry into with inquiry about

Into suggests investigation, while about suggests a question.

✕ an inquiry about corruption by the commission ✓ an inquiry into corruption by the commission

Overusing inquiry of in everyday English

Inquiry of sounds formal and is less common in ordinary conversation.

✕ I made an inquiry of the hotel ✓ I made an inquiry to the hotel

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The agency opened an inquiry ___ the incident.
2. She sent an inquiry ___ room availability.
3. The inquiry was addressed ___ the embassy.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between inquiry into and inquiry about?

Inquiry into suggests a formal investigation, while inquiry about usually means a question or request for information.

Can I use inquiry on?

Yes, especially in formal titles or discussions on a topic, though inquiry into is more common for investigations.

Is inquiry in correct?

Usually not as a direct pattern after inquiry. In often belongs to a separate phrase such as inquiry in education or inquiry-based learning.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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