Enquire after sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use the Phrase

What Does “Enquire after sb” Mean?

“Enquire after sb” means to ask about someone’s health, wellbeing, or situation, usually in a polite or caring way.

Introduction

The phrase “Enquire after sb” is a polite expression used mainly in British English. It means asking about someone’s health or general wellbeing. People often use it when they want to show concern or interest in a friend, family member, or colleague. Understanding the “Enquire after sb meaning” helps learners use this phrase correctly in formal and informal contexts. It is a useful way to express care and politeness in conversations, especially when checking up on someone after an illness or a long absence.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Enquire after somebody
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To ask about someone’s health or wellbeing

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Enquire after sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot separate “enquire” and “after” with the object.

Structure pattern:
Enquire after + somebody (not enquire somebody after)

Example:
Correct: I enquired after your mother yesterday.
Incorrect: I enquired your mother after yesterday.

How to Use “Enquire after sb”?

You use “enquire after sb” when you want to politely ask how someone is doing, especially about their health or personal situation. It is often used in spoken and written English to show care or concern.

This phrase is common in formal or semi-formal conversations. You can use it when talking to friends, relatives, or colleagues, especially if you have not seen them for some time or know they have been unwell.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “Enquire after sb in a sentence”:

• When I spoke to Jane, she enquired after you and asked how you were feeling.
• My boss enquired after my health after I returned from sick leave.
• He called to enquire after his old school friend.
• During the meeting, she enquired after the wellbeing of the team members.
• We often enquire after our neighbors when we haven’t seen them for a while.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the order of words or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some common errors:

• Incorrect: I enquired your friend after.
  Correct: I enquired after your friend.
• Incorrect: She enquired about her brother.
  Correct: While “enquire about” is correct, it has a slightly different meaning. Use “enquire after” to ask specifically about wellbeing.

Remember, “enquire after” focuses on health or wellbeing, unlike “enquire about,” which can be more general.

Differences / Synonyms

People often confuse “enquire after sb” with similar phrases like “ask after sb” or “enquire about sb.”

• Ask after sb: Has the same meaning as “enquire after sb” and is more common in everyday speech.
• Enquire about sb: More general; can refer to any information, not just health or wellbeing.
• Check on sb: More informal and often implies making sure someone is safe or okay.

So, “enquire after sb” is polite and slightly formal, mainly about wellbeing, while the others vary in tone and scope.

Common Collocations

When using “enquire after sb,” certain words often appear with it. Here are some common collocations:

• Enquire after someone’s health: Asking about their physical condition.
• Enquire after a friend/relative: Showing concern for someone close.
• Enquire after wellbeing: Asking generally how someone is.
• Enquire after recovery: Asking about progress after illness or surgery.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of enquire after sb:

• Enquire Into Sth
• Enquire Sth Of Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “enquire after sb”:

Anna: I heard your grandmother was unwell. Have you spoken to her recently?
Ben: Yes, I called yesterday to enquire after her. She’s feeling much better now.
Anna: That’s good to hear. Please tell her I’m thinking of her.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct phrase:

• Yesterday, I _______ after my colleague who was on sick leave.
• She often _______ her old school friends to see how they are doing.
• It’s polite to _______ after someone when they are going through a tough time.

Answers:
1. enquired after
2. enquires after
3. enquire after

FAQs

• Q: Is “enquire after sb” formal or informal?
  A: It is polite and slightly formal, often used in British English.
• Q: Can I use “enquire after” in American English?
  A: It is less common in American English; “ask after” or “check on” are more typical.
• Q: What is the difference between “enquire after” and “enquire about”?
  A: “Enquire after” is about wellbeing; “enquire about” is for general information.
• Q: Can I separate “enquire” and “after”?
  A: No, “enquire after” is inseparable; the object comes after both words.
• Q: Is “enquire after” only used for health?
  A: Mostly, but it can also mean asking about someone’s general situation.