To inquire about something means to ask for information, clarification, or details about a particular subject. This phrase is commonly used in formal English, professional communication, and everyday conversations when you want to ask about something politely. Understanding how to use inquire about, ask for information, and request details can help you communicate more clearly and naturally.
For example, you might inquire about a service, ask about availability, or request information about a product. The phrase is especially useful when you need specific information from a company, organization, customer service team, or another person. While inquire sounds more formal than simply saying ask, both expressions can be correct depending on the situation.
In American English, inquire about something is widely used in formal requests, business emails, customer inquiries, and professional conversations. You may also see related expressions such as make an inquiry, seek information, ask a question, and request further information.
What Does “Inquire About Something” Mean?
“Inquire about something” means to ask for information about something.
The verb inquire means to seek information by asking a question. Cambridge Dictionary gives inquire about as a standard construction and provides examples involving prices, schedules, and availability. (Cambridge Dictionary)
The basic structure is:
inquire + about + thing you want information about
For example:
- I called to inquire about the position.
- She emailed to inquire about the course.
- We stopped by to inquire about the prices.
- He contacted the company to inquire about its services.
- They called to inquire about room availability.
The word about identifies the subject of the inquiry. If you’re asking for information about a course, you inquire about the course. If you’re asking about a price, you inquire about the price.
Think of it as a slightly more formal version of ask about.
Simple Meaning
| Expression | Simple meaning |
| inquire about something | ask for information about something |
| ask about something | request information about something |
| inquire into something | investigate something |
| find out about something | get information about something |
So, if someone says:
I want to inquire about your services.
They mean:
I want to ask for information about your services.
Oxford also lists inquire about somebody/something as a standard pattern meaning to ask somebody for information. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Is “Inquire About Something” Correct?
Yes. “Inquire about something” is grammatically correct.
There’s no grammatical problem with using about after inquire. In fact, dictionaries specifically list inquire about as an established English pattern.
For example:
- I inquired about the application process.
- She inquired about the cost.
- They inquired about the available positions.
- He inquired about the delivery date.
The phrase works naturally in both American and British English.
In US English, inquire is the standard spelling. British English also uses enquire, although inquire is acceptable there as well. Oxford notes that American English generally uses inquire for both the general meaning of asking for information and the more investigative meaning. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Correct vs. Incorrect Examples
| Sentence | Status | Why |
| I inquired about the job. | ✅ Correct | Standard construction |
| She inquired about the price. | ✅ Correct | About introduces the subject |
| We inquired about the schedule. | ✅ Correct | Natural formal usage |
| He inquired into the price. | ⚠️ Different meaning | Into suggests investigation |
| I asked about the job. | ✅ Correct | More conversational |
| I inquired the job. | ❌ Incorrect | This construction doesn’t work with this meaning |
The last example is important. You generally don’t replace about with nothing when you want to identify the subject of the inquiry.
How to Use “Inquire About” in a Sentence
The most common pattern is straightforward:
Subject + inquire/inquired + about + noun
For example:
She inquired about the position.
However, English gives you several useful variations.
Inquire About + Noun
Use this structure when you want information about a specific thing.
- I inquired about the price.
- She inquired about the position.
- They inquired about the schedule.
- We inquired about the requirements.
This is probably the easiest pattern to learn.
Inquire About + Noun Phrase
The object can be longer than one noun.
I inquired about the application process for international students.
Here, application process for international students functions as the subject of the inquiry.
More examples include:
- She inquired about the company’s refund policy.
- He inquired about the available training programs.
- We inquired about the requirements for admission.
- They inquired about the expected delivery date.
To Inquire About + Something
The infinitive to inquire about appears frequently after verbs such as call, write, contact, and visit.
Examples:
- I called to inquire about the position.
- She wrote to inquire about the application.
- He contacted the office to inquire about the appointment.
- We visited the school to inquire about admission.
This construction is particularly common in professional communication.
Inquire About Whether or If
You can also use inquire before an indirect question.
- She inquired about whether the position was still available.
- He inquired about whether refunds were possible.
- They inquired about whether the meeting had been canceled.
However, in many sentences, inquired whether sounds cleaner:
She inquired whether the position was still available.
Cambridge specifically gives examples of inquire followed by question words and whether. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Inquire Why, Where, When, or How
You don’t always need about.
For example:
- He inquired why the meeting was canceled.
- She inquired when the store would reopen.
- They inquired where the documents were stored.
- I inquired how the system worked.
This is an important distinction.
You use inquire about + noun:
I inquired about the schedule.
But you can use inquire + question word:
I inquired when the schedule would be released.
Both structures are grammatical. The sentence simply takes a different shape.
“Inquire About” vs. “Inquire Into”
These expressions look similar, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
Inquire about usually means ask for information.
Inquire into means investigate or examine something in order to discover facts.
Cambridge defines inquire into something as trying to discover the facts about something. Oxford likewise treats inquire into as meaning investigate. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Compare Them
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| inquire about | Ask for information | She inquired about the course. |
| inquire into | Investigate | The committee inquired into the complaint. |
Consider this situation.
A customer calls a university and asks:
I’d like to inquire about the admission requirements.
The customer wants information.
Now imagine a committee examining allegations of misconduct:
The committee was appointed to inquire into the allegations.
The committee isn’t merely asking someone for basic information. It’s investigating the matter.
That’s the key difference.
More Examples
Inquire about:
I called to inquire about the hotel rates.
Inquire into:
The authorities decided to inquire into the financial records.
Inquire about:
She inquired about the company’s hiring process.
Inquire into:
The board will inquire into the cause of the incident.
A simple memory trick works well:
about = information
into = investigation
It’s not a rule that covers every imaginable sentence, but it works for the common uses that learners encounter.
“Inquire About” vs. “Ask About”
Here’s where grammar and natural style meet.
Both inquire about and ask about can mean that someone wants information. The major difference is tone.
Ask about is more common in ordinary conversation.
Inquire about sounds more formal.
Oxford describes inquire as somewhat formal and lists ask as its more everyday synonym. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Compare the Tone
| Situation | More conversational | More formal |
| Job | I want to ask about the job. | I want to inquire about the position. |
| Price | Can I ask about the price? | May I inquire about the price? |
| Course | I called to ask about the course. | I called to inquire about the course. |
| Service | I wanted to ask about your service. | I wanted to inquire about your services. |
Neither version is automatically better.
If you’re talking with a friend, ask about usually feels natural:
Did you ask about the tickets?
In a formal email, inquire about may fit better:
I am writing to inquire about the status of my application.
The goal isn’t to make every sentence sound formal. Good writing chooses the level of formality that suits the situation.
Is “Inquire About” Formal?
Yes, “inquire about” generally has a formal or somewhat formal tone.
That doesn’t mean it’s reserved for lawyers, government officials, or business executives. It simply sounds more polished than the everyday verb ask.
For example:
I wanted to ask about the opening.
Sounds relaxed.
I wanted to inquire about the opening.
Sounds more professional.
The difference is subtle rather than dramatic.
You can use inquire in everyday speech, but if you use it constantly, your conversation may sound unnecessarily stiff.
Imagine asking a close friend:
May I inquire about your weekend plans?
It’s grammatically fine. It just sounds a little theatrical.
A simple:
What are you doing this weekend?
would usually sound more natural.
When to Use “Inquire About”
The phrase works especially well when you need information from an organization, company, institution, or professional contact.
Common situations include:
- Job applications
- Customer service
- University admissions
- Business communication
- Product information
- Service details
- Prices and fees
- Reservations
- Availability
- Policies
- Application status
- Appointments
- Professional requests
For example:
I am writing to inquire about the marketing position advertised on your website.
That sentence sounds appropriate in a job-related email.
Another example:
I would like to inquire about your return policy.
That works well when contacting a business.
“Inquire About” in Professional Emails
Professional emails are one of the most common places you’ll see this phrase.
A useful structure is:
I am writing to inquire about + noun.
For example:
I am writing to inquire about the status of my application.
Or:
I am writing to inquire about the available internship opportunities.
The phrase tells the recipient immediately why you’re contacting them.
Useful Professional Patterns
I am writing to inquire about…
I am writing to inquire about the position listed on your careers page.
I would like to inquire about…
I would like to inquire about your consulting services.
I am contacting you to inquire about…
I am contacting you to inquire about the upcoming training program.
I’m reaching out to inquire about…
I’m reaching out to inquire about the availability of the conference room.
The best choice depends on the context. There’s no need to make a short request sound like a legal document.
A Better Email Opening
Instead of writing:
I am writing this email to inquire about the possibility of potentially obtaining some information regarding your available services.
Use:
I’m writing to inquire about your available services.
The second sentence is clearer, shorter, and easier to read.
Formal doesn’t have to mean bloated.
Common Examples of “Inquire About Something”
The phrase appears across many everyday situations.
Inquiring About a Job
I called to inquire about the accounting position.
She emailed to inquire about the available jobs.
He wanted to inquire about the internship program.
Inquiring About a Price
I called to inquire about the price of the laptop.
She inquired about the monthly fee.
We contacted the seller to inquire about the total cost.
Inquiring About a Course
I’d like to inquire about the evening classes.
She called to inquire about the English course.
He emailed the university to inquire about admission requirements.
Inquiring About a Service
We contacted the company to inquire about its cleaning services.
I’m calling to inquire about your delivery service.
Inquiring About Availability
I called to inquire about room availability.
She emailed to inquire about available appointments.
They contacted the restaurant to inquire about private dining options.
Inquiring About an Application
I’m writing to inquire about the status of my application.
She called to inquire about her application.
He contacted the admissions office to inquire about the next steps.
Can You “Inquire About a Person”?
Yes. You can inquire about a person.
The phrase can mean asking for information about someone’s condition, situation, activities, or circumstances.
For example:
She called to inquire about her father.
He inquired about the new manager.
I wanted to inquire about your colleague.
However, context matters.
If you’re asking specifically about someone’s health or well-being, English also has inquire after someone, particularly in more formal or traditional usage. Oxford defines inquire after somebody as asking for information about that person, especially their health or what they’re doing. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
In modern American English, however, ask about someone is often the more natural choice.
I asked about your father.
That sounds much more conversational than:
I inquired after your father.
The second sentence is grammatical, but it has a noticeably formal flavor.
Can “Inquire About” Be Used in Questions?
Absolutely.
You can form direct questions with inquire about.
Examples:
- Did you inquire about the position?
- Have you inquired about the price?
- Did she inquire about the schedule?
- Who inquired about the property?
- Why didn’t you inquire about the requirements?
You can also use the expression in indirect questions:
She asked whether I had inquired about the position.
He wanted to know if we had inquired about the price.
This gives you plenty of flexibility in both spoken and written English.
“To Inquire About Something” vs. “To Ask About Something”
These two phrases often communicate the same basic idea.
To Ask About
Ask about is neutral and extremely common.
I called to ask about the position.
It’s suitable for casual conversations, emails, phone calls, and most everyday situations.
To Inquire About
Inquire about is somewhat more formal.
I called to inquire about the position.
It’s especially useful when you’re contacting a business, institution, or professional.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Ask about | Inquire about |
| Meaning | Ask for information | Ask for information |
| Tone | Neutral | More formal |
| Everyday speech | Very common | Less common |
| Business writing | Common | Very common |
| Job emails | Natural | Especially suitable |
| Casual conversation | Best choice | Can sound formal |
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
Neither phrase is wrong.
The better choice depends on who you’re talking to and how formal you want to sound.
“Inquire About” vs. “Enquire About”
The words inquire and enquire have the same basic meaning.
For US English, inquire is the standard choice.
British English commonly uses enquire, although inquire also occurs. Oxford notes that both spellings can be used, while American English generally uses inquire for both meanings. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
Cambridge likewise lists enquire as the UK form and directs readers to inquire. (Cambridge Dictionary)
US English
I called to inquire about the course.
British English
I called to enquire about the course.
For an American audience, stick with inquire.
What About “Inquiry” and “Enquiry”?
The same spelling difference appears in the noun.
| US English | British English |
| inquire | enquire |
| inquiry | enquiry |
| inquirer | enquirer |
For example:
We received several inquiries about the product.
Cambridge defines inquiry as the process of asking for information and also uses the noun for formal attempts to discover facts.
What Can You Inquire About?
Almost anything that requires information can become the subject of an inquiry.
Common examples include:
- Prices
- Products
- Services
- Jobs
- Internships
- Courses
- Admissions
- Requirements
- Schedules
- Appointments
- Reservations
- Availability
- Policies
- Refunds
- Delivery dates
- Application status
- Membership options
- Business opportunities
- Event details
- Travel arrangements
Here are a few natural examples:
I inquired about the refund policy.
She inquired about the training schedule.
We inquired about the available positions.
He inquired about the delivery date.
They inquired about the reservation policy.
The possibilities are broad because inquire isn’t tied to one particular type of information.
Synonyms and Alternatives to “Inquire About”
Sometimes another expression will fit your sentence better.
Ask About
The most natural everyday alternative.
I asked about the price.
Find Out About
This emphasizes getting information or learning something.
I want to find out about the new program.
Cambridge defines find out about something as getting information because you want to know more about it or learning a fact for the first time.
Seek Information About
This sounds formal and deliberate.
The organization is seeking information about the incident.
Request Information About
This works well when you are formally requesting information.
We would like to request information about the application process.
Check on
This is more conversational and often relates to status.
I called to check on my application.
Query
Query can mean to ask a question, especially when you’re checking something or seeking clarification.
I called to query the charge on my account.
However, query isn’t always a direct replacement for inquire about. The meaning can shift toward questioning or challenging information.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Tone | Best use |
| ask about | Neutral | Everyday communication |
| inquire about | Formal | Professional requests |
| find out about | Casual | Learning information |
| seek information about | Formal | Reports and official writing |
| request information about | Formal | Written requests |
| check on | Casual | Status or progress |
| query | Neutral/formal | Questions or clarification |
Choosing a synonym isn’t about finding a word that looks more sophisticated. It’s about finding the expression that matches the situation.
Common Mistakes With “Inquire About”
Even though the phrase is straightforward, several mistakes appear regularly.
Mistake: Confusing “Inquire About” With “Inquire Into”
These aren’t interchangeable.
Incorrect for a simple request:
I called to inquire into the course price.
Better:
I called to inquire about the course price.
But when you’re talking about an investigation, inquire into works:
The committee will inquire into the allegations.
Mistake: Using “Inquire” When “Ask” Sounds Better
A sentence can be grammatically correct and still sound unnatural.
For example:
May I inquire about your favorite pizza topping?
There’s nothing grammatically wrong with it. But with a friend, it sounds unusually formal.
A more natural sentence would be:
What’s your favorite pizza topping?
Or:
Can I ask what your favorite pizza topping is?
Good English isn’t only about correctness. Context matters.
Mistake: Making Professional Writing Too Formal
Using inquire is fine. Surrounding it with layers of unnecessary formality isn’t.
Wordy:
I am writing this correspondence for the purpose of making an inquiry concerning the current status of my application.
Clear:
I’m writing to inquire about the status of my application.
The second version communicates the same information with far less clutter.
Mistake: Confusing “Inquire” With “Require”
These words sound somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.
Inquire means ask for information.
Require means need, demand, or make something necessary.
Compare:
I inquired about the requirements.
The application requires two references.
In the first sentence, someone asks for information.
In the second, the application needs two references.
Is “Inquire About Something” More Formal Than “Ask About Something”?
Yes.
That’s the simplest way to remember the difference.
Consider three levels:
Casual:
Can I ask about the job?
Neutral:
I wanted to ask about the job.
Formal:
I wanted to inquire about the position.
The distinction isn’t absolute. People use these expressions in many different contexts. Still, inquire carries a more formal tone than ask.
Oxford specifically describes inquire as rather formal, which supports this distinction. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries)
A Practical Case Study: Choosing the Right Expression
Imagine someone wants to learn whether a university offers evening classes.
They could say:
Hey, can I ask about your evening classes?
This works in a casual conversation.
They might write:
I’m contacting you to ask about your evening classes.
That’s perfectly natural in an ordinary email.
For a more formal inquiry:
I’m writing to inquire about your evening classes and their admission requirements.
All three sentences communicate essentially the same basic request.
The difference lies in tone, setting, and relationship.
That’s why grammar guides shouldn’t simply label one version “correct” and the others “wrong.” Language has shades.
Sentence Patterns You Can Use
Here are practical templates worth remembering.
Basic Pattern
I inquired about + noun.
Example:
I inquired about the price.
Professional Pattern
I’m writing to inquire about + noun.
Example:
I’m writing to inquire about the position.
Purpose Pattern
I called to inquire about + noun.
Example:
I called to inquire about the appointment.
Request Pattern
I would like to inquire about + noun.
Example:
I would like to inquire about your services.
Status Pattern
I’m contacting you to inquire about the status of + noun.
Example:
I’m contacting you to inquire about the status of my application.
Question-Word Pattern
I inquired + why/when/where/how + clause.
Example:
I inquired when the application deadline was.
These patterns cover most situations where learners want to use inquire about something.
“Inquire About Something” in Different Tenses
The verb changes normally according to tense.
| Tense | Example |
| Present | I inquire about the process. |
| Past | I inquired about the process. |
| Present perfect | I have inquired about the process. |
| Future | I will inquire about the process. |
| Present continuous | I am inquiring about the process. |
In everyday communication, the past tense is especially common when describing a completed request:
I inquired about the position yesterday.
The present perfect can emphasize that the inquiry happened recently or remains relevant:
I have inquired about the issue but haven’t received a response.
The continuous form can appear when the inquiry is happening now:
I’m inquiring about the availability of the room.
Quick Facts About “Inquire About”
- Inquire about is grammatically correct.
- It means ask for information about something.
- Inquire is the standard US English spelling.
- Enquire is especially associated with British English.
- Ask about is usually more conversational.
- Inquire about often sounds more professional.
- Inquire into usually means investigate.
- Inquire after can mean asking about someone’s well-being, especially in formal usage.
- Inquiry is the corresponding noun in US English.
- You can use inquire with question words such as why, when, where, and how.
Conclusion
To inquire about something is a correct and useful English expression for asking for information about a particular subject. It works especially well in formal situations, business communication, and polite requests. Although “inquire” is more formal than “ask,” both can be appropriate depending on the context. Understanding the difference helps you choose the most natural expression for your situation.
FAQs
What does “to inquire about something” mean?
“To inquire about something” means to ask for information, details, or clarification about a particular subject.
Is “inquire about something” grammatically correct?
Yes. Inquire about something is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal and professional English.
Is it better to say “inquire about” or “ask about”?
Both are correct. Inquire about sounds more formal, while ask about is more common in everyday conversation.
Can I use “inquire about” in an email?
Yes. “Inquire about” is appropriate for professional emails, especially when requesting information from a business or organization.
What is an example of “to inquire about something”?
A natural example is: “I’m writing to inquire about the available courses.”
What is the difference between “inquire” and “enquire”?
“Inquire” is common in American English. “Enquire” is more common in British English, although “inquire” is also used in British English, particularly in formal contexts.
Can “inquire about” be used in casual English?
Yes, but it can sound formal. In casual conversations, ask about is usually more natural.
