ascertain as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain as" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion without additional context. Example: "We need to ascertain as to whether the project is feasible."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

It is key for you to ascertain as much as possible about any existing products and domain in terms of functionality, competitors, and customers, so you do not duplicate work or spend time generating knowledge that already exists.

Understanding your Users A Practical Guide to User Research Methods

In 1881 a special committee was appointed to "ascertain as nearly as possible the valid indebtedness of the City of New Orleans and to enter at once into negotiations with the creditors of the city and present a just and equitable plan of settlement". The report of this committee, presented in February, 1882, appraised the debt at $24,000,000.

University of Chicago

"Upon receiving notification that a person has absconded from a mental health facility, speak with the hospital manager and ascertain as much detail as possible," it says.

The Guardian

We herein report one STK11 splicing variant found in a PJS patient, which was difficult to ascertain as a normal variant or a pathogenic form.

Nature

The point at which terrorist sympathies pose a specific enough threat to merit imprisonment may be as hard to ascertain as the proper limit of that controversial power.

The Economist

In Uzbekistan, the Army failed to ascertain, as regulations require, whether its own units, which handled logistics there for the first six months, were available to work when it brought in the contractor, according to Army spokesmen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The exact number of the blast victims cannot be ascertained as yet".

The Guardian

These populations may be of conservation concern, and ascertaining as much should be a research priority.

Cornell University

The earliest form of a word, or word element, must be ascertained, as well as all parallel and related forms.

Britannica

"Having ascertained as precisely as possible his progress and position, I returned and reported the same to Major Wheat.

The New York Times

Second is the inclusion of a reference to the presence of a jacket in catalogue entries for books, so that a library's jacket holdings can be ascertained as readily as its book holdings.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "ascertain as" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "determine whether" or "ascertain whether" for clearer and more grammatically correct sentences.

Common error

The phrase "ascertain as" often leads to confusion regarding the correct preposition. Remember that "ascertain" is typically followed by "whether" or a direct object, not "as".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain as" is often used in an attempt to introduce a clause expressing doubt or inquiry. However, this usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates this and suggests using "determine whether" instead.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "ascertain as" appears in various sources, including scientific and news media, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI recommends using alternatives like "determine whether" or "ascertain whether" for clearer and more accurate communication. The intended purpose is to express the need to establish something as true, but the incorrect usage undermines the credibility of the statement. When aiming for formal or scientific writing, it's best to avoid "ascertain as" and opt for more precise language. The phrase's presence across different domains, as evidenced by Ludwig, suggests a common misuse, highlighting the need for careful attention to preposition choice when using "ascertain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascertain whether

This alternative is more grammatically correct, replacing the incorrect "ascertain as" with "ascertain whether."

determine whether

Replaces "ascertain as" with a more direct and grammatically sound expression of finding out if something is true.

establish whether

Focuses on firmly establishing the truth or validity of something, rather than a general inquiry.

find out if

A simpler and more informal alternative to "ascertain as", suitable for everyday language.

discover whether

Emphasizes the act of uncovering information that was previously unknown.

confirm if

Highlights the act of verifying something that is suspected or believed to be true.

verify whether

Stresses the need for evidence or proof in determining the truth of something.

learn if

Implies gaining knowledge about something through inquiry or investigation.

figure out if

This alternative implies that the problem needs to be solved.

make sure if

Emphasizes the need for certainty and taking steps to ensure something is true.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "ascertain" in a sentence?

The word "ascertain" is typically followed by "whether" to introduce a clause expressing doubt or a question. A correct usage is to "ascertain whether" something is true.

What can I say instead of "ascertain as"?

Instead of "ascertain as", you can use alternatives like "determine whether", "find out if", or simply "learn if" depending on the context.

Is "ascertain as" grammatically correct?

No, "ascertain as" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is often "ascertain whether" or using "ascertain" followed by a direct object without "as".

How can I avoid misusing "ascertain"?

To avoid misusing "ascertain", always double-check the preposition that follows. It's safer to use "ascertain whether" or to rephrase the sentence using alternatives like "determine if" or "verify if".