ascertain the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

'ascertain the cause' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to figure out why something happened. For example, "We must ascertain the cause of the power outage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vet came out to ascertain the cause of death, and National Parks collected the horn.

The New Yorker

A military spokesperson said that details were being gathered to ascertain the cause of the crash.

The New York Times

It is my mission in life to ascertain the cause of our social evils and of our social difficulties.

University of California, Berkeley

We are cooperating fully with Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive on their joint investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident".

The Guardian

We do not know her past medical history, and a post-mortem has yet to be held to ascertain the cause of death.

The Guardian

The head of the navy, Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi, said an investigation had been launched to try and ascertain the cause of the explosions.

Independent

Driven by a guilty conscience, Claudius attempts to ascertain the cause of Hamlet's odd behaviour by hiring Hamlet's onetime friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Old women who examined corpses to ascertain the cause of death, Searchers carried long white sticks to keep the healthy at arm's length.

The Economist

Since closing, the chef has run his own tests and called environmental health officers in, in an attempt to ascertain the cause - nothing has been found wrong, either with the kitchen, or the food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Who is more important in the conquest of disease: the compassionate, sympathetic healer or the cold, obsessive investigator trying to ascertain the cause of disease, who, if successful, would render the doctor obsolete?

The New York Times - Books

Although it is too early to ascertain the cause, if in fact this production shutdown was due to BP technical error, and if it continues for months (as seems possible), BP's reputation in Azerbaijan will take a serious hit".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reports, clearly state the methods used to "ascertain the cause" to enhance credibility.

Common error

While "ascertain the cause" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "find out why" or "figure out what happened" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the cause" functions as a verbal phrase, often part of a clause expressing the action of discovering or establishing the reason for something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is commonly used to describe an investigative process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

59%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain the cause" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves to express the act of discovering the reason behind an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As evidenced by the numerous examples, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting a formal and objective tone. While alternatives like "determine the reason" or "find out the cause" exist, "ascertain the cause" maintains a level of precision and formality suitable for professional and investigative settings. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the context's formality and consider simpler alternatives for casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the reason

Replaces "ascertain" with "determine" offering a slightly less formal alternative with minimal semantic shift.

find out the cause

Substitutes "ascertain" with the phrasal verb "find out", making it more informal.

identify the origin

Uses "identify" and "origin" to convey the same meaning, suitable when emphasizing the starting point or source of something.

discover the source

Emphasizes uncovering the root or beginning point of an issue or event.

investigate the grounds

Implies a deeper, more formal examination of the underlying reasons.

uncover the rationale

Suggests revealing a hidden or not immediately obvious reason or principle.

probe the etiology

A more technical and formal way to ask about the reasons, mostly used in scientific or medical contexts.

explore the determinants

Implies a broad and thorough examination of all factors influencing an outcome.

analyze the factors

Focuses on breaking down the different elements contributing to a particular result.

diagnose the problem

Commonly used in a technical or medical context, indicating a careful examination to identify an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "ascertain the cause" in a sentence?

You can use "ascertain the cause" to describe the process of discovering why something happened. For example, "The investigators are working to "ascertain the cause" of the fire".

What are some alternatives to "ascertain the cause"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "determine the reason", "find out the cause", or "identify the origin".

When is it appropriate to use "ascertain the cause" over simpler phrases?

"Ascertain the cause" is most appropriate in formal or professional contexts where a thorough and precise investigation is implied, such as in legal, scientific, or official reports. In more casual settings, simpler phrases may be preferable.

What does it mean to "ascertain the cause"?

To "ascertain the cause" means to discover or establish the reason or origin of something, often through careful investigation and analysis. It implies a systematic approach to finding out the truth.