There are several types of verbs. Transitive verbs take an instantaneous object. For example, you assert, “I learn the guide” and “they noticed the sport.” However, intransitive verbs want no direct object.
That is why you’ll say “I jumped” or “they ran,” and you could have an entire sentence consisting of best two phrases.
On the other hand, some verbs fail to fall into the other classes simply, making it exhausting to know how to use them definitively. A living proof is the verb “inquire,” which is neither transitive nor intransitive.
However, ahead of we give an explanation for what “inquire” is, let’s take a look at a couple of use instances first, beginning with how to use “inquire about one thing” in a sentence.
How do you employ “inquire about one thing” in a sentence?
“To inquire about one thing” way to ask about it. So, while you “inquire concerning the recreation,” you’re asking concerning the recreation, and a synonymous sentence could be, “he requested concerning the recreation.” However, “ask” and “inquire” aren’t at all times interchangeable, and we can see why in a minute.
Additionally it is worth noting that there’s a positive sense of ambiguity.
In different phrases, while you say “he inquired concerning the recreation,” it’s now not precisely transparent what he requested about. Was once he asking what time the sport began? Or, did he need to know who was once taking part in?
In all probability, he simply sought after to know whether or not there have been any tickets left. Those are all unanswered probabilities.
To make issues clearer, you will have to say “he inquired concerning the time of the sport,” “he inquired about who was once taking part in within the recreation,” or “he inquired about whether or not there have been any tickets left.”
A better take a look at “inquire about one thing”
The expression “to inquire about one thing” consists of 2 portions. You might have the verb “to inquire,” after which there’s the prepositional word “about one thing” that acts because the verb’s supplement.
The prepositional word in itself could also be worth having a look at intently. The noun that follows the preposition, “the one thing,” could be a noun or perhaps a nominal word, and all of the expression nonetheless holds.
Let me explain this ultimate section with the next examples.
He inquired concerning the climate.
He inquired about what the elements could be like the next day to come.
Within the first instance, the “one thing” being inquired about is the noun “the elements.”
On the other hand, in the second one instance, the “one thing” is the nominal word “what the elements could be like the next day to come.” That is high quality as a result of nominal words behave like nouns.
What the elements could be like the next day to come was once an entire thriller to all people.
Does “inquire” want to at all times be adopted via a prepositional word?
Now not essentially. You’ll use “inquire” and not using a prepositional word, however you’re going to have to use a nominal word. You’ll’t use a noun by itself.
WRONG: “He inquired the elements.”
CORRECT: “He inquired what the elements could be the next day to come.”
And, right here lies the nuance.
The enhances of “inquire” may also be certainly one of two issues. They may be able to be direct items, wherein case they should be sentential.
This implies that they’ve to are available clause shape, one thing that defines nominal words.
Then again, the enhances of “inquire” may also be prepositional words.
It’s those restrictions that make it tough to classify “inquire” as a purely transitive verb.
Why is “ask” now not interchangeable with “inquire”
1. “Ask” can take an instantaneous object, while “inquire” does now not
“Ask,” alternatively, is a little bit other. When “ask” is adopted via an instantaneous object, this object doesn’t constitute the query however quite the person or entity being requested.
I requested the senator how lengthy the location would stay stagnant.
Within the above instance, “the senator,” the direct object of the verb “requested,” is a noun. “The senator” could also be the individual to whom the query was once directed. And, the query may also be surmised from the nominal word “how lengthy the location would stay stagnant.”
You can not use “inquire” within the above instance.
I inquired the senator how lengthy the location would stay stagnant.
The above instance is right kind. To right kind it, it could have to be written as follows.
I inquired how lengthy the location would stay stagnant.
It is because “inquire” doesn’t care about to whom the query is posed. It best cares concerning the query being requested.
2. “Ask” has a couple of other meanings
Whilst “inquire” at all times pertains to a query of types, “ask” too can mean to call for or request.
Right here, you’re announcing that you simply demanded or asked alternate.
The above sentence is not sensible. However, to make it smart, you’ll do the next.
On this 2nd utilization of “inquired,” the meaning is that you simply posed a query about alternate, and the implication is that your query was once a well mannered call for.
”Inquire” with other prepositional words
As discussed previous, “inquire” can take as its supplement a prepositional word, and the primary word we checked out was once “about one thing.”
Can “inquire” be adopted via different prepositional words? And, would the ones alternate the meaning in any discernible approach?
The solution is sure to each questions.
”Inquire of somebody”
This implies to ask somebody a query. For, example, going again to our previous instance, you’ll say the next.
I inquired of the senator about how lengthy the location would stay stagnant.
Now, the above sentence is grammatically right kind and is smart.
”Inquire after …”
“To inquire after …” way to ask about somebody’s well being.
She inquired after her colleague.
This simply implies that she requested about her colleague’s well being.
”Inquire for…”
While you “inquire for somebody,” you’re asking to talk to them.
Martin was once soliciting for Sara.
”Inquire into one thing”
“To inquire into one thing” way to examine it or to glance into it.
The detective was once inquiring into the theft case that came about ultimate week.
In different phrases, the detective was once investigating the case.
