inquire
in|quire /ɪnkw'aɪ'ər/ (inquires inquiring inquired)
also enquire
1 [VERB] V with quote, V of n with quote, V about n, V wh, V n, also V for n, V of n wh, V
If you inquire about something, you ask for information about it. (FORMAL)
`Is something wrong?' he enquired...
`Who are you?' he enquired of the first man...
I rang up to inquire about train times...
He inquired whether there had been any messages for him...
He was so impressed that he inquired the young shepherd's name.
2 [VERB] V into n/wh
If you inquire into something, you investigate it carefully.
Inspectors were appointed to inquire into the affairs of the company.inquire after
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you inquire after someone, you ask how they are or what they are doing. (FORMAL)
Elsie called to inquire after my health.
= ask after
also enquire
1 [VERB] V with quote, V of n with quote, V about n, V wh, V n, also V for n, V of n wh, V
If you inquire about something, you ask for information about it. (FORMAL)
`Is something wrong?' he enquired...
`Who are you?' he enquired of the first man...
I rang up to inquire about train times...
He inquired whether there had been any messages for him...
He was so impressed that he inquired the young shepherd's name.
2 [VERB] V into n/wh
If you inquire into something, you investigate it carefully.
Inspectors were appointed to inquire into the affairs of the company.inquire after
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you inquire after someone, you ask how they are or what they are doing. (FORMAL)
Elsie called to inquire after my health.
= ask after