A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

inquire about something • inquire for something
inquire about something —(also: inquire after something) seek
information about smth.: Where ought I to go to inquire
about London bus tours?
inquire for something —ask the whereabouts of some place
one wishes to find: This lady is inquiring for the furnishing
department.
in two
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Note: 
a) The expression does not fully correlate in meaning
with the phrase ask for something—
1
. request smth.: The most
important step towards treating depression — and sometimes
the most difficult — is asking for help. 2. = inquire for some-
thing: As we got off, we overheard a tourist asking for the
Museum of Anthropology, so we followed her. 3. (in the phrase
“ask for trouble”) act in a way that is likely to cause problems or
trouble: I think taking a hot cup of anything in a car is asking
for trouble.
b) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase
inquire into something
— examine or investigate smth.: The
commission may refer the matter to the board with a direction
to inquire into the matter.
inquire after someone • inquire for someone
inquire after someone —(also: inquire about someone) ask
about a person’s welfare or state of health: He was inquiring
after you and sent his kind regards.
inquire for someone —ask to see a person; ask if smb. is avail-
able: While you were out, a young man rang up inquiring for
you.
insensible of something • insensible to something
insensible of something —unaware of smth.; unresponsive to
smth.: She seemed wholly insensible of the honor done to her.
insensible to something —unable to understanding other peo-
ple’s feelings, hardships, etc.: He was one of those men who
are quite insensible to the suffering they cause.