ascertain about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be "ascertain" without "about," as "ascertain" already implies finding out or determining something. Example: "I need to ascertain the details of the project before proceeding."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From what we can ascertain about his fiancée so far, it's easy to see the appeal.

Independent

In order to ascertain about molecular structures of monomers, quantum chemical study was carried out.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

What can we ascertain about the fictional Vincent CHYDE-directed "HYDE" and Calvin Harris' now confirmed role in it?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sometimes they said that, sometimes they didn't, depending on what they had previously ascertained about the presence of other Polish people in a locality.

The New Yorker

All that can be ascertained about its position is in the letter, which those from all sides of the issue are scrutinizing with Talmudic zeal.

The New York Times

It was unclear what information the German government had ascertained about those other four alleged nationals.

Huffington Post

Comparing the ARIC and HPFS cohorts versus the other three Appalachian ones, the mean age difference is over 20 years and the participants in older cohorts were ascertained about 10 years earlier.

BMC Oral Health

Wala said it has been "virtually impossible" to ascertain facts about the administration's targeted killing program.

The Guardian

As quantum mechanics has taught us, things are inexorably changed by our trying to ascertain anything about them.

The New Yorker

Science – Create a timeline that compares forensic science techniques in the 1960s to ascertain information about crimes with modern day techniques.

The New York Times

Sometimes the commercials are fun, or funny, or just befuddling, but we're interested not just because we want to be entertained but because we think we can ascertain something about our popular culture by examining our million-dollar-a-minute advertisements.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain" without "about". The word "ascertain" already encompasses the meaning of finding something out, making "about" redundant and grammatically incorrect. For example, instead of "ascertain about the facts", say "ascertain the facts".

Common error

Avoid using "about" after "ascertain". The word "ascertain" inherently means to discover something, so adding "about" creates unnecessary redundancy. For example, it's incorrect to say "ascertain about the problem"; instead, say "ascertain the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain about" functions as a verb phrase where 'ascertain' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object. However, the addition of 'about' creates a grammatically incorrect construction. Ludwig AI indicates this usage as non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ascertain about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct usage is simply "ascertain", as the word itself implies finding something out. Ludwig AI confirms this, pointing out that the addition of "about" is redundant. While some examples exist, they do not legitimize the construction. It's better to use alternatives like "determine", "establish", or "find out" based on the context to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in writing. The contexts where it is found are mostly Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine

Focuses on reaching a definite conclusion or decision.

find out

A more informal way to say discover, suitable for casual contexts.

establish

Emphasizes confirming something firmly or setting it up on a secure basis.

discover

Highlights the act of finding something previously unknown.

learn

Focuses on gaining knowledge about something.

confirm

Similar to verify, but with a slightly stronger sense of validation.

uncover

Suggests revealing something that was hidden or not easily apparent.

verify

Highlights the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

elucidate

Focuses on making something clear and easy to understand.

investigate

Emphasizes a detailed and systematic examination to uncover facts.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "ascertain about"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is "ascertain" without the preposition "about". "Ascertain" already means to find something out, so adding "about" is redundant.

What does "ascertain" mean?

"Ascertain" means to find something out for certain; make sure of. It implies a process of inquiry or investigation leading to a definitive conclusion.

What can I say instead of "ascertain about"?

Since "ascertain about" is incorrect, you can use alternatives like "determine", "establish", or "find out" depending on the specific context.

How to properly use "ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "ascertain" directly followed by the object of your inquiry. For example: "The investigator tried to ascertain the truth."