Enquiry or Inquiry?

What Is the Difference between "Enquiry" and "Inquiry"?

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The Quick Answer

If you're American, use "inquiry."
If you're British, use "inquiry" for a formal investigation but "enquiry" for an everyday question.

"Inquiry" and "enquiry" are interchangeable in the US, but "inquiry" dominates to the extent that most Americans consider "enquiry" to be a spelling mistake. In the UK, "inquiry" and "enquiry" are also interchangeable. However, the following distinction is usually followed:

Inquiry. "Inquiry" is used for a formal investigation. For example:

The commissioner promised to launch an inquiry into the fraud case.

Enquiry. "Enquiry" is used for a standard question. For example:

I have received an enquiry about your daughter's situation.

More about "Enquiry" and "Inquiry"

The nouns "enquiry" and "inquiry" can mean "question," "inquest," or "investigation." They can be used interchangeably. However, in the US, "inquiry" is more widely used than "enquiry" (to the extent that many will consider "enquiry" a spelling mistake of "inquiry").

(NB: The words "enquiry" and "inquiry" also have associated verbs ("to enquire" and "to inquire"). The guidance on this page relates to the verbs as well as the nouns.)

There Is a Distinction Developing in the UK

In the UK, a distinction between "enquiry" and "inquiry" is developing. The word "inquiry" is being used in relation to a formal inquest (i.e., an investigation), while "enquiry" is being used to mean "the act of questioning." However, there is still considerable leniency on this distinction.

Examples with Inquiry and Enquiry

The examples below align with the convention developing in the UK:

I would like to enquire about the toilet facilities in the hotel.
The judge has suspended the inquiry into the police shooting of the escaped mental patient.