always ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of confirming or verifying information consistently. Example: "Before making any decisions, you should always ascertain the facts to avoid misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Still, because my French is not terrific, I couldn't always ascertain the details of what we were eating.

The New York Times - Travel

The minerals of some rocks have existed together since their formation for periods of several million years, yet one cannot always ascertain if these rock constituents are in equilibrium or are still undergoing changes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is therefore essential for physicians to always ascertain if their patients are taking herbal medicines, and patients who do acknowledge use of herbal drugs must also be understood in terms of their illness, beliefs and rational for taking alternative therapies [ 7, 8, 45].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Firstly, the primary site of particular cancers is not always ascertained by means of death certificates.

BMC Cancer

Before taking clairvoyants seriously, "the motive of the individual should always be ascertained, especially where financial gain is included".

Independent

For victims who had more common family names, matches could not always be ascertained.

Crime Science

For example, only specific aspects of the documented content of communication were evaluated and the quality of communication could not always be ascertained from the documented data.

Annals of Intensive Care

Stimulus intensity levels can be set in a more typically useful range, luminance increments and decrements can be applied, very high stimulus contrasts can be achieved, and stimulus locations can always be ascertained.

Biomedical Optics Express

The purposive approach to statutory interpretation was always intended to ascertain the will of parliament, not substitute the judge's view on a matter of statute.

The Guardian

The publication of the list comes with an added benefit for North Korea watchers, who are always struggling to ascertain the highly secretive country's nuclear abilities.

The New York Times

Even on the visits I've been fortunate enough to make, it is always difficult to ascertain the true personality of a school.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always ascertain" when you want to emphasize the critical and consistent need to confirm or verify information, especially in contexts where accuracy is paramount. For example: "In scientific experiments, researchers should "always ascertain" the validity of their data."

Common error

While "always ascertain" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "always check" or "always find out" in less formal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always ascertain" functions as an intensifier combined with a verb, emphasizing the importance of consistently verifying information. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable for emphasizing confirmation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always ascertain" is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its primary function is to emphasize the importance of consistently verifying information, particularly in formal contexts such as science, news, and business. While useful, it's advisable to consider less formal alternatives like "always check" in casual settings. Remember that while grammatically sound, overusing this phrase can make your writing sound overly formal, so use it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently verify

Replaces "ascertain" with "verify" and "always" with "consistently", keeping the core meaning intact.

regularly confirm

Substitutes "ascertain" with "confirm" and "always" with "regularly", indicating a habitual action.

invariably determine

Replaces "always" with "invariably" and "ascertain" with "determine", suggesting a constant effort to find something out.

habitually establish

Uses "habitually" instead of "always" and "establish" instead of "ascertain", implying a routine.

persistently check

Replaces "always" with "persistently" and "ascertain" with "check", conveying the idea of continuous verification.

make sure to always find out

Elaborates on the action, emphasizing the effort to "find out" information consistently.

ensure you consistently discover

Focuses on "discovering" information and ensuring it happens consistently.

verify without fail

Emphasizes the certainty of verification, replacing "always" with "without fail".

determine each and every time

Highlights the repetitiveness of the action, replacing "always" with "each and every time".

never fail to verify

Expresses the same idea by stating that the action of verification should never be omitted.

FAQs

How can I use "always ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "always ascertain" to emphasize the importance of consistently verifying information. For example: "Managers should "always ascertain" employee satisfaction to improve workplace morale."

What are some alternatives to "always ascertain"?

You can use alternatives such as "consistently verify", "regularly confirm", or "invariably determine" depending on the context.

Is "always ascertain" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "always ascertain" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "always check" or "always find out" in informal settings.

What is the difference between "always ascertain" and "ascertain"?

"Always ascertain" emphasizes the consistency and frequency of verifying information, while "ascertain" simply means to find something out. The addition of "always" reinforces the habitual nature of the action.