Tip of the Week, 13.4.10: Inquiry versus Enquiry

It is common to see “inquiry” and “enquiry” mixed up. However, they are two very distinct words.

An “inquiry” implies an official investigation, think “inquest”. For example, “There was an inquiry into the politician’s spending habits.”

An “enquiry” is an everyday query. For example, “I received an enquiry about my services.”

Please note: “Inquiry versus Enquiry” is a contentious subject in the spelling and grammar world. The above is my take on the issue. Some people may choose to use the above words differently, and I believe Americans have a different view again on the distinction between the two words. If in doubt, always double check with your dictionary and make sure you are using the right word for your audience.