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.
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 something:
- 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.