Inquiry vs Query
What’s the difference between them?
Inquiry
Meaning:
a question or request for information that requires a deep research.
Examples:
1. The detective was making an inquiry into the whereabouts of the suspect.
2. She sent a formal inquiry to the company regarding the job opportunity.
3. He was curious about the situation, so he made an inquiry to the people involved.
Query
Meaning:
a query is a request for information that doens't require a research.
Examples:
1. The employee submitted a query to the boss about the new company policy.
2. We need to make sure all of our queries are answered before sending the report.
3. I used a search engine to query the answer to my question.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Inquiry
1. Investigation
2. Probe
3. Quiz
4. Query
5. Looking into
1. Conclusion
2. Disregard
3. Censorship
4. Avoidance
5. Obliviousness
Query
1. Inquiry
2. Question
3. Solicitation
4. Interrogation
5. Petition
1. Answer
2. Response
3. Solution
4. Conclusion
5. Resolution
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Inquiry", "Query".
1. Mnemonic Phrase: 'Inquiry is inquisitive, query is questioning'
2. Inquiry is the more formal of the two words, used to describe a systematic investigation.
3. Query is more informal and commonly used to ask a question or express doubt.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
Inquiry is typically used to express the action of seeking out information or knowledge. It is most commonly used when referring to an investigation of some sort, such as an inquiry into a criminal matter.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
Query is used to ask a question, especially in a formal or official context. It is most often used when questioning a person or body regarding an issue, such as a query to a politician on their stance on a policy.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words are not pronounced the same. Inquiry is usually pronounced with a short ‘i’ as in the word ‘in’, whereas query would be pronounced with a long ‘e’ sound as in the word ‘fairy’.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake is confusing the two words and using query when inquiry should be used and vice versOther mistakes include mispronouncing the words and failing to use them in the correct context.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. After the incident, the government launched an official ________ into the causes.
2. I have a quick ________ regarding the time of our meeting tomorrow.
3. The journalists ________ about the companys finances led him to uncover a major scandal.
4. Could you please answer my ________ about the menu options?
5. The police are conducting an ________ to determine the circumstances of the accident.
6. If you have any ________ about the software, please refer to the user manual.
1. After the incident, the government launched an official inquiry into the causes.
Explanation: This sentence discusses a deep research into the causes of an incident by the government, aligning with the definition of inquiry.
2. I have a quick query regarding the time of our meeting tomorrow.
Explanation: The sentence is about a simple question concerning the timing of a meeting, which does not require extensive research and hence fits the definition of query.
3. The journalists inquiry about the companys finances led him to uncover a major scandal.
Explanation: Here, the journalists question leads to the discovery of a scandal, indicating that deep research was involved, which matches the definition of inquiry.
4. Could you please answer my query about the menu options?
Explanation: The question is about menu options, which is straightforward and doesnt necessitate any research, hence query is appropriate.
5. The police are conducting an inquiry to determine the circumstances of the accident.
Explanation: The polices action is to deeply research and determine the causes of an accident, aligning with the definition of inquiry.
6. If you have any query about the software, please refer to the user manual.
Explanation: Referring to a user manual suggests the question is likely basic or straightforward, thus query fits the context.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.