ascertain the source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the source of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to determine or find out where something originates from, often in contexts involving investigation or research. Example: "The detective was tasked to ascertain the source of the mysterious package that arrived at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr Spencer argues that not enough effort was made to ascertain the source of her beliefs or the precise consequences of her stance.

The Economist

He urged the F.B.I. to ascertain the source of the documents, the skill-level of the forgery, the motives of those responsible, and "why the intelligence community did not recognize the documents were fabricated".

The New Yorker

The banks agree, among other things, to monitor accounts held by public officials or their families and to ascertain the source of funds offered for deposit, as well as the true beneficiaries of an account.

The New York Times

A once-classified FBI memo reveals that the bureau treated a senior ABC News journalist as a potential confidential informant in the 1990s, pumping the reporter to ascertain the source of a sensational but uncorroborated tip that the network had obtained during its early coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Huffington Post

Prospective MLVA subtyping of STEC may be used to detect clusters of related cases and ascertain the source of infection.

BMC Infectious Diseases

For newly diagnosed TB in children, source-case investigations are conducted to ascertain the source of infection and to prevent ongoing transmission from infectious persons.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

After The Times asked a judge to make the court file public on First Amendment grounds, Ms. White's office responded in secret to the judge that confidentiality was permitted "where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, by alerting potential targets" and allowing them "to ascertain the sources of the government's information".

The New York Times

The variation of groundwater quality across different regions is of great importance in the study of groundwater so as to ascertain the sources of contaminants to available water sources.

Applied Water Science

Other aspects of plasticity require different investigative methods to ascertain the sources of plasticity during ontogeny, the molecular genetic mechanisms that encourage plasticity, and the kinds of mapping functions that exist between the genotype and phenotype (Pigliucci 2001; Kirschner and Gerhart 2005: ch. 5).

SEP

It is thus essential to develop tools that enable us to distinguish nonindigenous from indigenous species and ascertain the source populations of the introduced species.

Genome Biology and Evolution

In this study, South Africa's two largest traditional medicine markets, Faraday in Johannesburg and Warwick in Durban, were surveyed to ascertain the source areas and species of Encephalartos in trade.

South African Journal of Botany

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascertain the source of", ensure your sentence clearly indicates what you are trying to find the source of. For instance, "Scientists are working to ascertain the source of the new virus outbreak".

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain the source of" when you actually mean "determine the cause of". "Source" refers to the origin, while "cause" refers to the reason something happened. For example, instead of "They need to ascertain the source of the problem", it might be more accurate to say, "They need to determine the cause of the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the source of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of finding out or establishing the origin or cause of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is often used in contexts requiring investigation or research.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

56.25%

News & Media

43.75%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain the source of" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the act of discovering or establishing the origin of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clarity, pair it with a clearly defined subject and avoid confusing 'source' with 'cause'. The phrase is best suited for formal and neutral scenarios, while simpler alternatives exist for informal settings. For similar meanings, you might consider "determine the origin of" or "identify the root of" for a more specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the origin of

This alternative focuses on pinpointing the exact starting point or beginning.

uncover the source of

This highlights the act of revealing something hidden or not easily found.

identify the root of

This suggests finding the fundamental cause or basis of something.

discover the cause of

This emphasizes uncovering the reason or agent that produces an effect.

trace back to the origin

This implies a process of following a path to the initial point.

get to the bottom of

This is an idiomatic expression that means to find the real cause of a problem.

find out where it comes from

This is a more informal way of asking about the origin or derivation.

investigate the beginnings of

This implies a formal inquiry into the initial stages or development of something.

establish the provenance of

This is a more formal way to ask about the history and origin, often used for artifacts or documents.

delve into the history of

This suggests a deep and thorough exploration of the past to understand the origins.

FAQs

How can I use "ascertain the source of" in a sentence?

Use "ascertain the source of" when you want to express the action of discovering where something originates. For example: "The investigators are trying to "uncover the source of" the leak".

What's the difference between "ascertain the source of" and "determine the origin of"?

"Ascertain the source of" and "determine the origin of" are very similar. "Determine the origin of" might be slightly more precise when referring to a specific starting point, while "ascertain the source of" can be broader, encompassing the entire supply chain or process.

What can I say instead of "ascertain the source of"?

You can use alternatives like "determine the origin of", "identify the root of", or "discover the cause of" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "ascertain the source of" in formal or informal settings?

"Ascertain the source of" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is often found in news reports, scientific papers, and official investigations. In informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrases like "find out where it comes from".