ascertain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that someone is getting information from a source or from someone. For example: We ascertained from the police report that there was no evidence of a crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is difficult to ascertain from the volunteers which ones might seek such a role.

The New York Times

One can ascertain from the Karlsruhe judgments a reticence towards the desire for brisk integration that reigns in Brussels.

The Guardian

A sense of Britain and its place in the world in 1913 is hard to ascertain from such a distance.

The Guardian

It is critical to ascertain, from blood tests, the true number of swine flu cases worldwide, both mild and severe.

The New York Times

Why, when Pistorius heard the bathroom window opening, as he claimed, did he not ascertain from the deceased whether she too had heard anything?

The Guardian

As far as I can ascertain from my research, this is the first time that a story about Elliott Smith made a British tabloid front page.

The Guardian - Opinion

But some players and coaches feel the television coverage provides a few details they cannot ascertain from the silent, restricted-angle game tape they study.

The New York Times - Sports

As best I could ascertain from a conversation with them on the way out, they are actually distantly related, as are many of the rest of the staff.

The New York Times - Travel

His court-appointed lawyer told Ms. Gauthier that even he was unable to contact him or ascertain from officials exactly where he was being held.

The New York Times

But intent can be difficult, if not impossible, for an impeachment committee to ascertain from testimony, said Abbe D. Lowell, the chief investigative counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment inquiry of former president Bill Clinton.

The New York Times

As with so many of the bad things that happen in prison, it is hard to ascertain from the outside everything that led up to the murder of John J. Geoghan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascertain from", ensure the source of information is clearly identified to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain from" in contexts where the source of information is ambiguous or undefined, as it can weaken the statement's reliability. Always specify the source to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of finding something out or determining information based on a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to show how knowledge is derived. It connects the act of learning with its origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in English, particularly in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI states, it signifies obtaining information from a specific source. Predominantly found in Science and News & Media, it denotes deriving knowledge or understanding. To enhance clarity, always clearly identify the source when using "ascertain from". Alternatives include "determine based on" and "deduce from". While not suited for casual conversation, it is a reliable tool for formal writing. Always remember, based on what Ludwig provides, the reliability of "ascertain from" relies on the source from which the information is derived.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine based on

Focuses on the act of making a decision or conclusion after considering something.

deduce from

Emphasizes reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning and inference.

gather from

Suggests collecting information piece by piece to form an understanding.

infer from

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion from evidence or assumptions.

learn from

Focuses on acquiring knowledge or skill through experience or study.

find out from

Implies discovering something through inquiry or investigation.

discover through

Emphasizes the means by which something is revealed or found.

conclude based on

Highlights the act of forming an opinion or judgment after evaluation.

understand from

Focuses on gaining comprehension or insight from a particular source.

extract from

Suggests carefully selecting or obtaining specific information from a larger source.

FAQs

How to use "ascertain from" in a sentence?

Use "ascertain from" to indicate that you are deriving information or understanding something based on a specific source. For example, "We can "ascertain from" the data that sales increased last quarter."

What can I say instead of "ascertain from"?

You can use alternatives like "determine based on", "deduce from", or "gather from" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ascertain from" formal or informal?

"Ascertain from" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. It's less common in very informal or casual conversation.

What's the difference between "ascertain from" and "validate from"?

"Ascertain from" means to find something out for certain, while "validate from" means to confirm or support the accuracy or truth of something using a specific source. They have different connotations related to confirming and discovering.