ascertain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to definitively establish or discover something. For example, "I need to ascertain that all of the items on this list are present before I can close the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Therefore, the continuity of f, g, S, and T and (n rightarrowinfty ) ascertain that (fu=gu=Tu=Su).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

"I can only ascertain that it's plane debris," Liow said.

The Guardian

A confused Oprah manages to ascertain that Amis's teeth, at least, are real.

The Guardian - Books

It takes a while to ascertain that the plot of Purity revolves around Andreas and Tom.

The Guardian - Books

It was in News International's power to ascertain that, wasn't it?

The New Yorker

If the source is Russia, we should be able to ascertain that pretty quickly.

The New York Times

The White House takes care to ascertain that petition signatories are bona fide US citizens.

The Guardian

They call him the Shoreditch Creeper and ascertain that he's a Siouxsie & The Banshees fan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They were only able to ascertain that the goods came from the children's dept.

The New Yorker

And he has to ascertain that everything linked to Jockipedia is authenticated to fend off imposter or profanity-filled feeds.

The New York Times

"It is to ascertain that it's not sprouted," Rabbi Brody explained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain that" when you need to emphasize the importance of finding out something definitively. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain that" in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "make sure that" or "find out that" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain that" functions as a connector, linking an action or investigation with the goal of establishing a fact or condition with certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize the importance of confirming or verifying information before taking further action. Predominantly found in formal contexts such as scientific and news publications, it conveys a need for certainty and thoroughness. While alternatives like "confirm that" or "ensure that" exist, "ascertain that" maintains a level of formality that may be more suitable in specific professional or academic settings. Remember not to overuse in informal speech as its formality can sound unnatural in this case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confirm that

Replaces "ascertain" with "confirm", suggesting a focus on verifying something already suspected.

verify that

Similar to "confirm that", but implies a more rigorous checking process.

determine that

Indicates a process of investigation and discovery leading to a conclusive finding.

establish that

Focuses on providing solid evidence to prove a fact or condition.

make sure that

A more informal alternative, emphasizing the action of ensuring something is the case.

ensure that

Similar to "make sure that", but slightly more formal.

find out that

A simpler way to express the discovery of information, without necessarily implying certainty.

discover that

Focuses on the act of uncovering new information.

learn that

Implies gaining knowledge or understanding about something.

prove that

Highlights the action of demonstrating the truth of something through evidence.

FAQs

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

Use "ascertain that" to indicate you are making sure of something, like: "The engineer must "ascertain that" the bridge is safe before reopening it to traffic."

What are some alternatives to "ascertain that"?

You can use alternatives like "confirm that", "verify that", or "determine that" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ascertain that" formal or informal?

"Ascertain that" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "make sure that" or "find out that".

How does "ascertain that" differ from "assume that"?

"Ascertain that" implies verifying or confirming something with certainty, while "assume that" means accepting something as true without proof. They represent opposite approaches to establishing facts.