Basic Details
Word: Enquired
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Asked someone for information about something.
Synonyms: asked, questioned, queried
Antonyms: answered, replied
How to Spell Enquired
Syllables: en - quired
Tricky part: It starts en- and the kw sound is written qu. Enquire already ends in e, so only d is added. Inquired is also correct in British English.
Watch out for: enquireed, enquird, enqwired, enquirred
Memory tip: In English q is followed by u, so the word is en + quire + d, and quire is said like choir.
Usage Examples
Example 1: She enquired about the train times at the counter.
Example 2: The teacher enquired after my grandmother's health.
Example 3: Several parents enquired whether the school bus would run during the strike.
Fun Fact
A Victorian household guide first published in 1856 was called Enquire Within Upon Everything, and it sold over a million copies.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word enquired as used in the sentence:
A stranger enquired at the gate whether this was the house of the village doctor.
a) denied
b) complained
c) shouted
d) asked
Show answer
d) asked. To enquire is to ask for information.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
enquirred
a) q
b) u
c) r
d) e
Show answer
c) r. Enquire ends in a silent e, so -ed just adds a d and the r stays single.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. interogated 2. reccomended 3. questionaire 4. enquired
a) asked for information
b) questioned someone closely for a long time
c) a set of written questions used to collect information
d) suggested as good or suitable
Show answer
a) asked for information. Interrogated has a double r, questionnaire has nn, and recommended has one c and two m's.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If you enquired after a friend's health, you ____.
a) wished them luck
b) told them to rest
c) asked how they were
d) gave them medicine
Show answer
c) asked how they were
2. A sign that says Enquire Here shows you where to ____.
a) leave bags
b) try on clothes
c) pay money
d) ask questions
Show answer
d) ask questions
