Ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to find out or determine something with certainty. Example: "Before making a decision, it is important to ascertain all the relevant facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's our round up of helpful articles and resources: Rosetta comet landing: everything you need to know This is a really handy compilation of six key things you need to know about the Rosetta mission, including how the findings will ascertain whether planets made the Earth blue and the size of 67P in relation to Manhattan, New York.

The Guardian

"We were able to use our experience as psychiatric nurses to ascertain whether or not Victor was genuine and whether or not what he was telling us was the truth.

The Guardian

Although the state of the economy remains difficult to ascertain beyond dubious official figures, huge sums are lost to corruption.

The Guardian

The EU urged the government to "take all necessary measures to ascertain Mr Dzamara's whereabouts", calling for a probe into the disappearance.

The Guardian

But the relief was suspended until further calculations could ascertain exactly how well the levels matched.

The Guardian

The feminist credentials of Suffragette are not difficult to ascertain – Mulligan doesn't play one of the Pankhursts, but rather a lowly footsoldier called Maud – but it is in Madding Crowd that Mulligan shows her cards.

The Guardian - Film

Toxicology studies are also under way to ascertain whether the murderer gave the women any drugs or chemicals to render them unconscious.

The Guardian

Many users proposed visiting government offices on Lunar New Year's Eve, to ascertain whether officials are working as hard as everyone else.

The Guardian

The Metropolitan police is currently mapping the problem in an attempt to ascertain the scale of the issue and identify "hotspots" of abuse.

The Guardian

Unable to ascertain where the man's friends are, someone starts to call 999, but then decides it would be quicker to take back him back down South Road, where more ambulances are arriving.

The Guardian

"Police officers attended the scene in order to ascertain the details of the alleged offender.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain" when you need to emphasize the effort or process of finding something out definitively, especially when accuracy is important.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain" in very casual conversations. Simpler words like "find out" or "check" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Ascertain" functions primarily as a verb. It describes the action of discovering or establishing something definitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is considered correct and usable in written English. Example: "Scientists use the data to "ascertain" cause and effect relationships."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain" is a verb meaning to discover or establish something definitively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly used in news, formal business, and scientific contexts, indicating a formal register. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider alternatives like "find out" or "check". The prevalence of "ascertain" in reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Determine

Focuses more on making a firm decision or conclusion after investigation.

Establish

Emphasizes the act of proving or demonstrating something to be true or factual.

Find out

A more informal way of saying "ascertain", suitable for casual contexts.

Discover

Highlights the aspect of uncovering something previously unknown.

Learn

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge through study or experience.

Work out

Suggests a process of solving a problem or figuring something out.

Confirm

Emphasizes verifying the truth or accuracy of something.

Verify

Focuses on ensuring something is true or accurate through investigation.

Check

A simpler and more general term for examining something to ensure it's correct.

Investigate

Suggests a more thorough and systematic inquiry.

FAQs

How to use "ascertain" in a sentence?

The verb "ascertain" means to find something out for certain. For example, "The police are trying to "ascertain" the facts of the case."

What can I say instead of "ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "determine", "establish", or "find out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ascertain" or "assume"?

"Ascertain" means to discover something definitively, while "assume" means to suppose something is true without proof. These words have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "ascertain" and "investigate"?

"Investigate" implies a systematic inquiry, while "ascertain" suggests finding something out definitively as a result of that or other means.