ascertain the intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to determine or clarify someone's purpose or aim in a particular context. Example: "In order to proceed with the negotiation, we need to ascertain the intention of the other party."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Our task, therefore, so far as concerns these two petitioners, is merely to ascertain the intention of Congress.

Cornell University

Objective: To ascertain the intention of the public to undergo dental treatment at dental clinics where other patients or a dentist are infected with HIV/AIDS.

American Journal of Infection Control

Our duty is to ascertain the intention of Congress in passing the statute upon which the railroad company relies as prohibitive of the further enforcement of the agreement in suit.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the point is that we don't have today sufficient numbers and kinds of people who can go into Waziristan, in one of the most ungoverned places on Earth, if not the most, and blend in with the countryside and the people and gather information and get it back to us, because human intelligence is the only way you are able to ascertain the intentions of the enemy.

The Washington Post

See M. Bassiouni, International Extradition: United States Law and Practice Ch. 2, § 4.3, at p. 82 ("Negotiations, preparatory works, and diplomatic correspondence are an integral part of th[e] surrounding circumstances, and [are] often relied on by courts in ascertaining the intentions of the parties") (footnote omitted).

Cornell University

In the case of a demise, collateral bargains do not arise; but here there is an agreement, and what has to be done is to ascertain the meaning and intention the parties had in entering into it.

Harvard University

Where the meaning of a resolution is unclear from the text, the statements made by members of the Council at the time of its adoption may be taken into account in order to ascertain the Council's intentions.

The Guardian

Hugo Keith QC, counsel to the inquest, said: "You have nevertheless recorded that it is a matter of profound regret that despite its efforts and industry, the Security Service did not manage to ascertain the full significance, and intentions importantly, of Mohammed Sidique Khan and thus did not manage to prevent the atrocities of July 7".

Independent

Thus, F W may be a better choice when the intention is to ascertain the overall level of genetic differentiation.

Heredity

This clause is ambiguous and its meaning can be ascertained from the intention of the parties.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The scores of the STAT predict the actions that the public would take if stroke symptoms occur, but cannot specifically ascertain the pre-hospital delay in behavioral intention.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "ascertain the intention" adds a layer of precision and objectivity when discussing motivations or objectives.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ascertain the intention" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "find out what they mean" or "understand their goal" for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

Ascertain the intention functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of discovering or establishing someone's purpose or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain the intention" is a grammatically correct and formal phrase used to describe the act of discovering or determining someone's purpose. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While its usage is relatively rare, it is appropriate in academic, scientific, and news contexts. Alternatives like "determine the intent" or "discover the purpose" may be suitable depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding whose intention you are trying to determine and avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the intent

Emphasizes a more direct and decisive discovery of intention.

discover the purpose

Focuses on uncovering the underlying aim or goal.

establish the motivation

Highlights the need to identify the driving force behind an action.

find out the aim

A more informal way to express discovering the objective.

understand the objective

Stresses comprehension of the desired outcome.

figure out the plan

Focuses on revealing the intended strategy or course of action.

get to the bottom of the motive

Implies a thorough investigation to reveal the underlying reason.

uncover the rationale

Emphasizes revealing the logical basis or justification.

learn the reason

A simpler and more general way of asking about the cause.

decipher the meaning

Implies an attempt to understand something obscure or unclear.

FAQs

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

You can use "ascertain the intention" to express the act of discovering or determining someone's purpose. For instance, "The lawyer needed to ascertain the intention of the contract's drafters".

What are some alternatives to "ascertain the intention"?

Alternatives include "determine the intent", "discover the purpose", or "establish the motivation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

"Ascertain the intention" and "determine the intention" are quite similar, but "ascertain" implies a careful and methodical effort to find something out. "Determine" suggests a more decisive finding. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

In what kind of writing is "ascertain the intention" most appropriate?

"Ascertain the intention" is well-suited for formal writing, such as legal documents, academic papers, and business reports, where precise and objective language is valued.