Enquiry vs. Query — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 24, 2023
Enquiry refers to a request for information or an investigation. Query, often used in computing and information retrieval, is a question or request for data or information.
Difference Between Enquiry and Query
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Enquiry often implies a formal or systematic investigation, seeking detailed information or clarity. Query, while similar, is more commonly used in computing and data retrieval, representing a specific request for information, often formatted for a database or search engine.
Enquiry suggests a process of exploring or inquiring that may involve multiple questions or a broader scope. Query, in contrast, often refers to a single, specific question or request, particularly in a technical or database context.
Enquiry can be used in a broader sense, encompassing various forms of asking or investigating, from casual questions to formal research. Query tends to be more precise, frequently associated with seeking specific answers or data, especially in a formal or technical setup.
Enquiry carries a connotation of depth and thoroughness, potentially involving multiple aspects or angles. Query, however, is typically more straightforward and targeted, focusing on a particular piece of information or a specific answer.
In general usage, Enquiry and Query can be used interchangeably when referring to the act of asking questions. However, in specialized fields like computing or research, Query is more specific and technical, often related to data retrieval and analysis.
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Comparison Chart
General Usage
More formal and broad, implying investigation
More specific, often a single question
Context
Various contexts, including casual and formal inquiries
Often used in technical, computing, or data contexts
Connotation
Implies depth, thoroughness, and a series of questions
More precise, targeted, and specific
Formality
Can be formal or informal
Often formal, especially in technical settings
Scope
Broader, potentially encompassing a range of questions
Narrower, focused on specific information or data
Compare with Definitions
Enquiry
A request for information.
She made an enquiry about the library's closing hours.
Query
A question, especially one addressed to an official or organization.
He submitted a query to the customer service regarding his order.
Enquiry
A formal process of questioning or research.
The academic enquiry led to significant discoveries in her field.
Query
Seeking an answer or information, often in a formal context.
The scientist's query about the data was answered in the meeting.
Enquiry
Seeking knowledge or clarification.
His enquiry into the company's policies clarified his doubts.
Query
Expressing doubt or questioning the validity of something.
Her query about the experiment's results led to further tests.
Enquiry
An investigation or exploration of facts.
The police conducted an enquiry into the missing person's case.
Query
A request for information from a database.
The programmer wrote a query to retrieve customer data.
Enquiry
The act of asking questions to gain information.
His enquiry about the new project revealed many hidden challenges.
Query
A question used to gather information.
The journalist's query at the press conference was quite direct.
Enquiry
Variant of inquiry.
Query
A question; an inquiry.
Enquiry
A question.
Query
A doubt in the mind; a mental reservation.
Enquiry
Search for truth, information or knowledge.
Scientific enquiry
Query
A notation, usually a question mark, calling attention to an item in order to question its validity or accuracy.
Enquiry
See Inquiry.
Query
To express doubt or uncertainty about; question
Query someone's motives.
Enquiry
An instance of questioning;
There was a question about my training
We made inquiries of all those who were present
Query
To put a question to (a person).
Enquiry
A search for knowledge;
Their pottery deserves more research than it has received
Query
To mark (an item) with a notation in order to question its validity or accuracy.
Enquiry
A systematic investigation of a matter of public interest
Query
A question, an inquiry US, an enquiry UK.
The teacher answered the student’s query concerning biosynthesis.
Query
A question mark.
Query
A set of instructions passed to a database.
The database admin switched on query logging for debugging purposes.
Query
(intransitive) To ask a question.
Query
(transitive) To ask, inquire.
Query
(transitive) To question or call into doubt.
Query
To pass a set of instructions to a database to retrieve information from it.
Query
To send a private message to (a user on IRC).
Query
To send out a query letter.
Query
A question; an inquiry to be answered or solved.
I shall conclude with proposing only some queries, in order to a . . . search to be made by others.
Query
A question in the mind; a doubt; as, I have a query about his sincerity.
Query
An interrogation point [?] as the sign of a question or a doubt.
Query
To ask questions; to make inquiry.
Each prompt to query, answer, and debate.
Query
To have a doubt; as, I query if he is right.
Query
To put questions about; to elicit by questioning; to inquire into; as, to query the items or the amount; to query the motive or the fact.
Query
To address questions to; to examine by questions.
Query
To doubt of; to regard with incredulity.
Query
To write " query" (qu., qy., or ?) against, as a doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See Quære.
Query
An instance of questioning;
There was a question about my training
We made inquiries of all those who were present
Query
Pose a question
Common Curiosities
Do queries always involve computers?
Not always, but the term is commonly used in computing and data retrieval contexts.
Can enquiries be about personal matters?
Yes, enquiries can be about a wide range of topics, including personal matters.
Can anyone make an enquiry?
Yes, anyone can make an enquiry about something they wish to know more about.
Is an enquiry always formal?
No, an enquiry can be either formal or informal, depending on the context.
Is an enquiry the same as an investigation?
Enquiry can be part of an investigation but is broader and can include simple questions.
Can an enquiry be informal?
Yes, enquiries can be informal, like asking a friend about a movie.
Do queries require technical knowledge?
In computing, yes, but in general use, they can be simple questions.
Can 'query' be used in everyday language?
Yes, though it's often used in more formal or technical contexts.
Are queries only for specific information?
Typically, yes. Queries are often targeted at specific pieces of information.
Can an enquiry lead to a formal investigation?
Yes, sometimes enquiries can lead to more formal investigations.
Is a query a type of enquiry?
Yes, a query can be considered a specific type of enquiry, especially in technical contexts.
Is a query used in academic research?
Yes, queries are used in academic research, especially in data-driven studies.
Are there different types of enquiries?
Yes, enquiries can vary from casual questions to formal investigations.
Are queries always written?
Queries can be either written or verbal, though written is more common in technical fields.
Can an enquiry be about opinions?
Yes, enquiries can be about seeking opinions or perspectives.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
