I ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have determined or discovered something through investigation or analysis. Example: "After reviewing the data, I ascertain that the project is on track for completion by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Secondary objectives were to: (i) ascertain if physical injury and poor academic performance were associated with ADHD, (ii) compare diagnostic utility of parent-filled Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (VAS) against Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) as the gold reference and (iii) establish if there exists an association between ADHD symptoms cluster and co-morbid conditions.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

How can I ascertain once and for all if it is or it isn't?... Lucille V. Corrier, Manhattan A Is it Bing & Bing?

The New York Times

My first morning of a new season, having bought the newspaper from the same kiosk lady who sees a narrow slice of Spoleto from her little blind, I ascertain that the barrista dispensing the cappuccino I have dreamed of all year is still turning out a brew our own indifferent coffee jerks can't manage.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the event of us entering into a business relationship, I ascertain that in addition to an agreed monthly fee, you will also benefit from heavy traffic to your site which would in turn increase your earnings.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I ascertained he was wrongly accused," Mr. Koch said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

But the loves of the gods, I ascertained, left her unmoved and puzzled.

The New Yorker

But the loves of the gods, I ascertained, left her unmoved — and puzzled.

The New Yorker

From the rest of Twitter, which got very active at 10.31pm, I ascertained that the something is not nice.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Now he's married to a Kennedy, and he says things like 'I ascertained such and such,' " Mr. Mele said.

The New York Times

That what I did was illegal I ascertained the following morning with a clipped call to 311, the city's information hotline.

The New York Times

"I ascertained it wasn't a story about satanism and it wasn't a story about evil, which was very important to me because, purely on a practical level, I didn't feel like going home and finding all the doors banging and shutting when I was lying in bed, or waking up with a gothic demon sitting on my chest.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I ascertain" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the thoroughness of your investigation or analysis. It suggests a careful and deliberate process of discovery.

Common error

Avoid using "I ascertain" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in less formal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I found out" or "I determined" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I ascertain" functions as a declarative statement where the speaker is conveying their determination or establishment of a fact or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it effectively communicates a conclusion derived from investigation or analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I ascertain" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon way to express that one has determined or established something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its formal tone makes it more suitable for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. While grammatically correct, be mindful of its register and choose simpler alternatives like "I determine" in less formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I determine

Direct synonym, replacing "ascertain" with "determine" for a slightly less formal tone.

I establish

Focuses on the act of firmly setting or proving something to be true.

I find out

More informal and focuses on the discovery of information.

I discover

Emphasizes the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

I confirm

Highlights the validation of something already suspected or hypothesized.

I verify

Focuses on proving the accuracy or truth of something.

I conclude

Suggests reaching a decision or judgment based on evidence.

I deduce

Implies reasoning from general principles to a specific conclusion.

I gather

Indicates collecting information from various sources to form a conclusion.

I understand

Focuses on grasping the meaning or significance of something.

FAQs

How to use "I ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "I ascertain" when you want to express that you have determined or found something out through a careful process of investigation. For example, "After reviewing the data, "I ascertain" that the project is on track."

What can I say instead of "I ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "I determine", "I find out", or "I establish" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "I ascertain" or "I ascertained"?

"I ascertain" is used in the present tense, while "I ascertained" is used in the past tense. Use the appropriate tense depending on whether you are referring to a current or past determination.

What's the difference between "I ascertain" and "I assume"?

"I ascertain" implies a process of careful investigation and discovery leading to a conclusion. "I assume" suggests making a guess or supposition without concrete evidence.