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Enquire, Inquire

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Alan

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Nov 5, 2003, 10:35:29 AM11/5/03
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I recently had an email from the US saying thank you for your inquiry and it
didn't look right.

I had always assumed that asking a question was "enquire" and an inquiry was
a legal investigation or similar.

Looking at various dictionaries the two words seem to be synonymous.

Is it just my northern English upbringing or am I right in thinking that
using inquire for enquire is an Americanism?

Alan.


Ian

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Nov 6, 2003, 4:10:57 AM11/6/03
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a-ro...@removethis.bdp.co.uk inquired:

Absolutely right! "inquiry' (pronounced something like inkwirry)
and 'inquire' seems to be the accepted form here, but I don't think
I've once come across 'enquiry/enquire'
but in Britain I only remember seeing it being used, as you say, in the
'Official Inquiry' context.

I hesitate to confess this in this n/group of all n/groups, but I've
now consciously Americanized my spelling and switched my
spellchecker to US English
... when in Rome, sort of thing.
--
Ian Ft Worth, TX, USA
change m to r to Reply by email

Dave Fawthrop

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Nov 6, 2003, 4:15:12 AM11/6/03
to
On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 09:10:57 GMT, moc...@flash.net (Ian) wrote:


| I hesitate to confess this in this n/group of all n/groups, but I've
| now consciously Americanized my spelling and switched my
| spellchecker to US English

for uk.culture.language.english? ;-)

| ... when in Rome, sort of thing.

More accurately. The almighty dollar rules OK ;-)

--
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk> FTV Satellite ITV, Ch4 and 5.
To receive These+Beeb+others, Free To View from satellite get a Next
Generation viewing card. Ring 08700 54 1800. *Domestic* card costs
GBP23.50. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/channels.shtml

Ian

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Nov 7, 2003, 5:14:01 AM11/7/03
to
hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk then dashed in with this message:

> On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 09:10:57 GMT, moc...@flash.net (Ian) wrote:
>
>
> | I hesitate to confess this in this n/group of all n/groups, but I've
> | now consciously Americanized my spelling and switched my
> | spellchecker to US English
>
> for uk.culture.language.english? ;-)
>
> | ... when in Rome, sort of thing.
>
> More accurately. The almighty dollar rules OK ;-)
>

Let's face it, it has done since 1945!

How about another old saw,
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

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