Enquiry & Inquiry

[murli_18@yahoo.com]

Dear Teacher,

What is the difference between enquiry and inquiry? Is Inquiry American English?

Thank you,

Murli

[Casiopea]

Enquiry and inquiry have long existed together as alternative spellings of the same word. In America inquiry is dislodging enquiry for all purposes. In England a useful distinction is developing: enquiry is used for asking a question and inquiry for making an investigation. Thus you might enquire what time the inquiry begins.

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