ascertain facts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain facts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of discovering or determining information or truths about a particular subject or situation. Example: "The investigator's primary goal was to ascertain facts related to the case before making any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

"We are fully cooperating with local and international authorities to ascertain facts surrounding this incident and are supporting efforts to ensure the employee's safe release," he said.

The New York Times

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas flew to Estonia on September 28 to ascertain facts concerning the case and to take appropriate action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The logographers also served as advocates and speech writers in the courts, and the need to ascertain facts and make arguments clearly influenced their writings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Significant parts of scientific investigation are carried out on models rather than on reality itself because by studying a model we can discover features of and ascertain facts about the system the model stands for; in brief, models allow for surrogative reasoning (Swoyer 1991).

SEP

After any tragedy, of course, there is a fog that makes it difficult for survivors to ascertain facts.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It has been assumed, of course, that students preparing for examinations would acquire in the process, by themselves or from their instructors, something more than a superficial acquaintance with the books on the reading list or with the ascertained facts of literary history – that they would gain habits of independent intellectual work and skill in the analysis and interpretation of literature.

University of Chicago

Ingenuity in etymologizing is dangerous, and even plausibility can be misleading, but ascertained fact has overriding importance.

Britannica

On the other hand, it must be remembered that it is an ascertained fact that the aborigines taboo a word on the death of anyone bearing that word as a proper name.

The New York Times

Thus also the story of Hyperborean communication with Delos is entirely in harmony with ascertained fact.

University of Chicago

"We want to make certain that they are aggressive enough to be able to ascertain the facts in the face of an adversary who in the past did everything in his power to hide the facts," Mr. Fleischer said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain facts" when you need to emphasize a formal or careful investigation to find accurate information. It's particularly useful in legal, journalistic, or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain facts" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "find out" or "learn" are often more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

Ascertain facts functions as a verb phrase where 'ascertain' is the verb and 'facts' is the direct object. The phrase describes the action of establishing something as definitely true after investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ascertain facts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to discover or establish facts through careful investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. While versatile, it is best suited for contexts where accuracy and thoroughness are paramount. Simpler alternatives like "determine the facts" or "establish the facts" may be more suitable for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the facts

Replaces "ascertain" with "determine", emphasizing the process of establishing the facts.

establish the facts

Uses "establish" to highlight the act of firmly proving or setting the facts.

discover the facts

Focuses on the act of finding or uncovering the facts.

find out the facts

A more informal way to express the process of learning the facts.

verify the facts

Emphasizes the act of confirming the truth of the facts.

investigate the facts

Highlights a thorough examination to find the facts.

uncover the truth

Shifts focus to finding the underlying truth, implying a deeper investigation.

get to the bottom of things

An idiomatic expression meaning to discover the real cause of something.

delve into the details

Implies a detailed and thorough examination to understand the facts.

get the full picture

Focuses on understanding all aspects of a situation to obtain the facts.

FAQs

What does "ascertain facts" mean?

The phrase "ascertain facts" means to find something out for certain; to make sure of something. It involves careful investigation to determine the truth about a particular situation or event.

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

You can use "ascertain facts" in a sentence like this: "The committee was formed to ascertain facts related to the alleged misconduct."

What are some alternatives to "ascertain facts"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "ascertain facts" versus "find out the facts"?

"Ascertain facts" is more appropriate in formal and professional contexts where a thorough investigation is needed. "Find out the facts" is more suitable for informal or casual situations.