Herculis

[Dizzy Lizzie]

19A - Ask for information
Any thoughts as to whether it is inquire or enquire?

[novalis]

Always an awkward one. I'd go for enquire ( you have an enquiry desk ) but others may disagree.

[Aquagility]

Can't advise, but I've put enquire.

[Cornish Girl]

If you look up the online etymology dictionary it suggests that inquire is an alternate form of enquire mainly used in sense of 'to ask question'

[Dizzy Lizzie]

Thanks all. My gut feeling was enquire and you have given me more confidence.

[burnham]

Can I join in? The Concise Oxford gives inquire as the preferred spelling, from the Latin Inquirere, to seek. Enquire has inveigled its way in from the French enquirer. Put it another way - has anyone heard of 'enquisition'?

I hope Kate is listening.

[pega]

l was stuck on this and put inquire I did wonder about enquire have sent it now, always a twist in this crossword.

[porilo]

As it's an English crossword in an English newspaper I've gone with enquire. As far as I know, inquire is mainly used in America.

[burnham]

For once, the Americans are right. The argument about 'in -' or 'en -' has been going on for years, but the Concise Oxford follows the OED, which is the arbiter on English spelling and which describes 'enquire' as 'half-Latinized'. Fowler also supports 'in-'