ascertain the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to determine or find out what the current time is or when an event is scheduled to occur. Example: "Before we proceed with the meeting, let's ascertain the time to ensure everyone is available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Unable to find my phone I turned on the TV in order to ascertain the time via the Sky Guide.

The Guardian

The objective was to ascertain the time of greatest crop N demand as a scientific basis for designing fertigation schedules.

Field Crops Research

To assess the glycemic profile in pregnant women consuming south Indian diet by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) and to ascertain the time to monitor peak post-prandial plasma glucose.

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews

The Manhattan Beach police said today that the homicide division of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department had been asked to investigate the death because Mrs. Johnson was the major complainant in the molestation case and because they could not ascertain the time and cause of her death.

The New York Times

Current methods used to quantify the response of benthic assemblages to physical disturbance are time consuming and expensive, requiring the analysis of a time series of samples to ascertain the time taken for a disturbed area to converge on a condition similar to that found in adjacent control areas (the recovery time).

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Different time intervals were tested to ascertain the time after which the solution attains its highest absorbance.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We then ascertained the time at which the system detected the number of colonies that later became visible on the same cassettes after the traditional testing time.

Plosone

We ascertained the time to first review (in hours) by a consultant intensivist from MetaVision entry logs.

Critical Care

The engravings are mirror images of the paintings (since the engraved plates are copied from the paintings the image is reversed when printed), which leads to problems ascertaining the times shown on the clocks in some of the scenes.

Wikipedia

First, the time precedence serial post-operative ultrasound studies gave us the opportunity to precisely ascertain the onset time of lymphocele.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

A numerical study of a double-pipe helical heat exchanger was performed to ascertain the residence time, temperature, and processing uniformity for food processing applications.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascertain the time" in formal writing, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and complexity of the document. In less formal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives such as "check the time".

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain the time" in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for more natural phrases like "What time is it?" or "Can you check the time?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the time" functions as a verb phrase, where "ascertain" acts as the main verb indicating the action of finding out or establishing something, and "the time" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain the time" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe the act of determining or finding out a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is suitable for written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a formal register. While alternatives such as "determine the time" or "find out the time" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the time

Replaces "ascertain" with the more common synonym "determine".

find out the time

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

establish the time

Emphasizes setting or confirming a specific time.

discover the time

Suggests uncovering previously unknown information about the time.

assess the time

Focuses on evaluating or judging the appropriateness of a time.

identify the time

Highlights pinpointing a specific time from a range of possibilities.

learn the time

Emphasizes acquiring knowledge about the time.

check the time

Involves a simple verification of the current or scheduled time.

work out the time

Suggests a calculation or deduction to find the time.

figure out the time

Implies a need for problem-solving to determine the time.

FAQs

What does "ascertain the time" mean?

The phrase "ascertain the time" means to find out or determine what the current or scheduled time is. It implies a need to establish the time with certainty.

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

You can use "ascertain the time" when you need to know the specific time, such as "We need to "ascertain the time" of the meeting to send out reminders" or "The scientists were trying to "ascertain the time" of the event".

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

You can use alternatives like "determine the time", "find out the time", or "check the time" depending on the context.

Is "ascertain the time" formal or informal?

"Ascertain the time" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "check the time" or "what time is it" are more appropriate.