ascertain of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ascertain of' is not correct or usable in written English.
You can use the word 'ascertain' alone, or use a phrase like 'ascertain from/whether/how/why' instead. For example: I asked the manager to ascertain whether the report was correct.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I believe a politician's personality, though difficult to ascertain of course, is a more accurate map to their tenure.

The Economist

This was primarily attributed to a lack of information provided with respect to methods of patient recruitment (selection bias) and criteria used to ascertain of a subsequent fall (reference standard).

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

During the study period, 510 women were ascertained of whom 453 (89%) were eligible.

British Journal of Cancer

Demographic and professional determinants ascertained of past-month adverse drug reaction (ADR) suspicion and past-year ADR reporting.

BMJ Open

With a larger number of clinics and subjects, ascertaining of differential effects of variance due to rater and/or clinic could be assessed.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We surveyed adult patients pre-HCT to ascertain completion of various elements of ACP.

Stanford University

Background data will be analysed following completion of recruitment to ascertain homogeneity of the three groups.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Worldwide figures are difficult to ascertain because of the wide variety of outlets available for betting.

The New York Times - Sports

They were eventually able to ascertain cause of death for 98% of deceased survey respondents.

Los Angeles Times

The proper mode of ascertaining 'processings of sugar * * * to which proportionate shares * * * pertained' is not here in controversy.

Cornell University

An extensive review of literature was conducted to ascertain traits of Generation Y students.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "ascertain of". Use "ascertain" followed by the object of your inquiry, or use "ascertain whether/how/why" to introduce a clause. For example, "ascertain the facts" or "ascertain whether the data is accurate."

Common error

The phrase "ascertain of" is often used incorrectly due to a misunderstanding of the verb's transitivity. Remember that "ascertain" directly takes an object; don't add "of" after it.

Linguistic Context

The expression "ascertain of" functions as a verb followed by a preposition, but it is grammatically incorrect. The verb "ascertain" requires a direct object and should not be followed by "of". As Ludwig AI states, the expression is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while you may encounter the phrase "ascertain of" in various sources, it's essential to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves using "ascertain" directly followed by its object, without the preposition "of". As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not considered proper English. Instead, opt for alternatives like "determine", "establish", or "verify", or restructure your sentence to use "ascertain" correctly. The examples found are from a mix of scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating that this error can occur across different registers, despite its incorrectness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine

This is a more direct and grammatically correct alternative to "ascertain of".

establish

Focuses on firmly setting or proving something, similar to confirming information.

verify

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

confirm

Emphasizes validating or reinforcing the correctness of information.

find out

Offers a more informal way to express the discovery of information.

discover

Stresses the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

ascertain whether

Specifies a condition or possibility to be determined.

ascertain how

Focuses on the method or process of finding something out.

ascertain the cause of

Specifies the object of ascertainment, like a cause or reason.

ascertain the extent of

Specifies the object of ascertainment, like the degree or scope.

FAQs

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

Use "ascertain" directly followed by the information you are trying to discover. For example, "The detective needed to ascertain the truth." You can also use it with "whether", "how", or "why": "The scientist tried to "ascertain whether" the experiment was successful".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ascertain of"?

While "ascertain of" is not grammatically correct, you can use alternatives like "determine", "establish", or "verify" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "ascertain of" something?

No, it is not correct. The verb "ascertain" is transitive and should be followed directly by its object. "Ascertain" means to find something out for certain, so the "of" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "ascertain" and "find out"?

"Ascertain" is a more formal and precise term than "find out". While both mean to discover something, "ascertain" suggests a more careful and systematic investigation. In most everyday contexts, "find out" is perfectly acceptable, but in formal or professional writing, "ascertain" may be more appropriate.