Recently, I had a debate over the two words enquire and inquire. If there is no difference, then why the different spellings? My argument was that to enquire is a private matter, not one of great public interest, just something you do to find relevant information to assist yourself. To inquire, was a public research into some matter of interest to a wider group, for example a nation.

I was offered many other reasonings, such as the original was enquire but the modern day world has taken a more literal consequence of the word and put the phonetic inquire instead. Or inquire is a legal term.

What are your views? And can anyone provide me with a logical explanation as to what they propose the bizarre reasoning behind these two words is?


Leaving you Puzzled,
Lexi

Leaving you Puzzled,
Lexi