ascertain the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to determine or find out a specific date for an event or deadline. Example: "Before we finalize the schedule, we need to ascertain the date of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

All the collected items underwent a thorough analysis, to ascertain: the date when the item was produced, who authored it, the place where the item was actually written, to whom the item was addressed.

Geoscience Letters

Patient TB treatment cards were used to ascertain the date treatment was started; this information was confirmed by checking the clinic TB register.

Plosone

The earliest of the CR and CPRD records were used to ascertain the date of cancer diagnosis and date of death.

British Journal of General Practice

Differences in the method used to ascertain the date of infection onset at the three sites in this study may also contribute to this variation.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

15 To ascertain the date of death from any cause until 31 December 2008, we linked all cases to the Swedish population register.

British Medical Journal

To do this: Ascertain the date of death value of all furnishings and household goods that do not pass directly to a spouse or registered domestic partner.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The GB Mesothelioma Register was used to identify those who died with mesothelioma and the death certificate ascertained the date of death.

British Journal of Cancer

Data from the province of Quebec were excluded because the method of ascertaining the date of diagnosis of cancer cases in this province differed from that of other provincial cancer registries and because of issues in correctly ascertaining the vital status of cases diagnosed in Quebec within the Canadian Cancer Registry.

Cancer Causes and Control

Data from the province of Quebec were excluded for survival analyses only because the method of ascertaining the date of diagnosis of cancer cases in this province differed from that of other provincial cancer registries and because of issues in correctly ascertaining the vital status of cases diagnosed in Quebec within the Canadian Cancer Registry.

Cancer Causes and Control

These early works grew out of earlier traditions, and ascertaining the dates of their final versions helps in no way to estimate the actual age or reliability of much of the material they contain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

UPDATE (11 15PM) : Professor Wallace has added more detail to the methodology of paleographic dating: "Paleographers use a variety of means for ascertaining the dates of manuscripts," he writes in an email to me.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "ascertain the date" when you need to emphasize the process of careful investigation or verification to determine a precise date. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and accuracy.

Common error

While "ascertain the date" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "find out the date" or "check the date" to avoid sounding stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the date" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "ascertain" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("the date"). Its function involves actively seeking to establish or confirm a specific date, implying thoroughness. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain the date" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the act of carefully finding out a specific date. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its prevalence in scientific and news contexts suggests a formal register. While alternatives such as "determine the date" or "find out the date" exist, "ascertain the date" implies a more thorough investigation. Therefore, it is most fitting for situations where precision and accuracy are paramount. When writing, keep in mind the degree of formality and audience when choosing this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the date

Focuses on the process of deciding or establishing the date.

find out the date

Emphasizes the act of discovering or learning the date.

establish the date

Highlights the act of setting or confirming the date.

confirm the date

Stresses the verification or validation of the date.

verify the date

Focuses on checking the accuracy of the date.

ascertain the timing

Broadens the scope to include the specific time, not just the day.

identify the date

Highlights recognizing or pinpointing the date.

pinpoint the date

Emphasizes locating the exact date.

figure out the date

Implies a need to solve or calculate the date.

learn the date

Focuses on gaining knowledge of the date.

FAQs

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

You can use "ascertain the date" when you need to emphasize the process of carefully finding out a specific date. For example, "The historian needed to ascertain the date of the artifact's creation."

What phrases are similar to "ascertain the date"?

Alternatives to "ascertain the date" include phrases like "determine the date", "find out the date", or "establish the date", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it more appropriate to use "ascertain the date" or "determine the date"?

"Ascertain the date" and "determine the date" are quite similar, but "ascertain" implies a more careful or thorough investigation to arrive at the correct date, while "determine" simply means to find it out.

In what contexts is "ascertain the date" most commonly used?

"Ascertain the date" is frequently used in formal writing, academic research, legal documents, and professional communications where precision and accuracy are essential. Ludwig indicates that it is often found in scientific and news contexts.