ascertain the trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the trend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to determine or identify a particular direction or pattern in data or behavior. Example: "To make informed decisions, we need to ascertain the trend in customer preferences over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Using monthly data, we found a good correlation between CAPE and rainfall; however, we could not ascertain the trend.

Earth, Planets and Space

The average surface water quality parameters of rivers and reservoirs were analyzed separately during pre- and post-monsoon periods to ascertain the trend of contaminations (Fig. 5a, b).

Applied Water Science

Unfortunately, the data obtained from the studies included in this review is insufficient to ascertain the trend of LBP over more than 2 decades, as the earliest methodologically acceptable study reporting point prevalence was published in 1993 [ 29].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

11 Although a year is a relatively short period to ascertain the trend, the possible rise in use of mesh has major implications for an estimated 200 000 inpatient procedures for POP conducted each year in the United States alone.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If assessments are made repeatedly at the same locations, the assessment indicators can be incorporated into a monitoring system to ascertain the trends in the ecosystems of a region.

Ecology of Desert Systems

By analysing PCA data, it is possible to ascertain the trends in thyroid hormone usage on a year by year basis and therefore the cost of thyroid hormone usage to the NHS.

BMC Public Health

We applied an enumerative content analysis systematic coding and categorizing approach to explore the large amount of textual information in order to ascertain the trends and patterns of words used, their frequency, and their relations as recommended by Grbich (2007).

Child and Youth Care Forum

In addition, annual cardiovascular risk factor surveys ascertained the trends in predisposing risk factors of SCD.

BMJ Open

Trends in SCD were analysed using population-based data from a large number of participants in a long-term observational study and annual cardiovascular risk factor surveys ascertained the trends in predisposing risk factors of SCD.

BMJ Open

It said that it would "look through" the quarterly volatility to ascertain the broader trends in the regional economy.

The New York Times

The purpose of this article is to ascertain the major trends of corporate governance in Asia in an interdisciplinary approach based on both the legal and the management studies.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing data, use "ascertain the trend" to emphasize the importance of identifying patterns for informed decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain the trend" when referring to short-term fluctuations or variations; reserve it for identifying long-term, consistent patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the trend" functions as a verb phrase, where "ascertain" is the main verb meaning to find something out for certain, and "the trend" is the object, referring to a general direction in which something is developing or changing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain the trend" is used to describe the act of identifying a pattern or direction, and is appropriate for academic, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound. While not overly common, the phrase is well-understood and serves to emphasize the importance of identifying underlying patterns, especially when analysing data. Consider using synonyms like "determine the pattern" or "identify the tendency" to suit different contexts. Avoid confusing short-term fluctuations with long-term trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascertain the tendency

Replaces "trend" with a synonym, maintaining the overall meaning.

determine the pattern

Focuses on identifying a recurring sequence or arrangement rather than a general direction.

identify the tendency

Emphasizes a predisposition or inclination, which may be less specific than a trend.

establish the direction

Highlights the act of setting or confirming a course or trajectory.

recognize the development

Focuses on acknowledging growth or evolution over time.

observe the movement

Implies watching and noting changes or shifts.

detect the drift

Suggests noticing a gradual shift or deviation from a set course.

uncover the inclination

Emphasizes revealing a preference or leaning.

figure out the direction

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect of finding a course or trajectory.

discern the line

Suggests perceiving a distinct course or path.

FAQs

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

You can use "ascertain the trend" when you need to identify a pattern or direction in data or behavior, such as "Researchers used statistical analysis to ascertain the trend in global temperatures".

What does "ascertain the trend" mean?

It means to determine, discover, or establish the general direction in which something is developing or changing.

What are some alternatives to "ascertain the trend"?

Some alternatives include "determine the pattern", "identify the tendency", or "establish the direction", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "ascertain the trend"?

It's suitable in formal and analytical contexts, like scientific research, business analysis, and economic forecasting, where identifying patterns is crucial.