Answer #1

Nowadays, inquiry and enquiry are generally used interchangeably. Nevertheless, there are many differences between these two. Inquiry has an official or formal connotation, whereas enquiry is more informal. Enquiry is simply asking questions, while inquiry refers to an official investigation. Furthermore, the prefixes used on both terms also have unique sources. For instance, ‘en’ originates from French, while ‘in’ comes from Latin.

It is comprehended that to enquire essentially means asking, whereas inquire is the term that constitutes opening an official investigations. In contrast, British English prefers enquiry, while Americans are comfortable with using inquiry. In fact, it should be noted that only those who are aware of British English pay any attention to this distinction. In Australian and American English, inquiry has taken over for all uses.

The other way that you can tell these terms apart is through considering the disparities between the ICB and ECB educations systems. At ECB, all students are taught to be curious and inquisitive and then base their questions on their inborn desire of learning. In the case of ICB, the main focus is placed on following the syllabus and only asking queries that are in line with that duty. This system does not place lots of attention of gaining pure knowledge.
Regardless of the fact that there is a clear difference in the definitions of these terms, people normally use them alternatively. You may say that enquiry refers to an honest request for knowledge, information or truth, while inquiry refers to an investigation on a certain topic.

If you ever wanted to locate a store where you want to purchase new clothes, you would have to make enquiries amongst your associates or friends. However, when your former boss fails to give your dues, an inquiry may be instituted by the appropriate authorities.

Answered By: daniel [554 ]