ascertain the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the truth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of finding out or determining what is true in a situation or context. Example: "The investigator's main goal was to ascertain the truth behind the allegations made against the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Our commitment to do what is possible to ascertain the truth and possible responsibilities remains unchanged.

The Guardian

"I am determined that we will fully and fairly ascertain the truth," he said.

The New York Times

Gabriele's lawyer Carlo Fusco said his client would "respond to all the questions and will collaborate with investigators to ascertain the truth".

The Guardian

According to Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, senior officials had been "reviewing and evaluating this issue on a daily basis, trying to ascertain the truth".

The New Yorker

A reporter should aspire only to use those facts available to him that he knows are true, as best he can ascertain the truth.

The New York Times

"We've been reviewing and evaluating this issue with respect to General Flynn on a daily basis for a few weeks, trying to ascertain the truth," Spicer said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We see that there are new techniques for ascertaining the truth".

The New York Times

The story recounts Mr. Mitchell's efforts at ascertaining the truth behind one of the more colorful denizens of Greenwich Village.

The New York Times

"I believe that the use of modern recordings is the greatest advance" toward ascertaining the truth, he said.

The Washington Post

This would communicate that the senators were interested in ascertaining the truth, not wasting more time on partisan Kabuki theater.

The Washington Post

Ascertaining the truth is vital, and respect for the innocent is as important as identification of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain the truth" when you need to emphasize a formal or thorough investigation aimed at revealing facts, especially in contexts where accuracy and reliability are crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain the truth" in casual conversation or informal writing. It may sound overly formal or pretentious in contexts where simpler phrases like "find out" or "discover" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the truth" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a clause. It signifies the action of finding something out for certain. Ludwig AI shows many examples in news and legal contexts where accurate information is important.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ascertain the truth" is a common expression used to describe the process of discovering or establishing facts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias. While formal in tone, it clearly conveys the need for accurate information. When writing, it is important to consider the context and adjust your language to match the tone of the piece; while alternatives like "find out the truth" exist, "ascertain the truth" emphasizes a more formal and thorough process of discovery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the truth

Focuses on establishing the truth after investigation or consideration.

establish the veracity

Emphasizes confirming the accuracy or truthfulness of something.

uncover the facts

Highlights the process of revealing hidden information.

discover the reality

Shifts the focus to finding out what is actually real or true.

find out the truth

A more informal way of expressing the act of discovering the truth.

get to the bottom of

Idiomatic expression emphasizing thorough investigation to reveal the truth.

confirm the facts

Highlights the confirmation aspect of the truth and the objective nature of the facts.

verify the accuracy

Centers on checking if something is correct and free from errors.

investigate the matter

Focuses on a detailed inquiry to find out the truth about a particular issue.

reveal the actualities

Emphasizes the act of making real facts known or visible.

FAQs

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

You can use "ascertain the truth" when you want to describe the process of finding out facts, especially in a formal or investigative context. For example: "The committee was formed to ascertain the truth about the allegations."

What are some alternatives to "ascertain the truth"?

Alternatives include phrases like "determine the truth", "find out the truth", or "discover the facts". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "ascertain the truth" a formal expression?

Yes, "ascertain the truth" is generally considered a formal expression. Simpler alternatives, such as "find out" or "discover", may be more suitable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "ascertain the truth" and "investigate the truth"?

"Investigate the truth" implies a process of inquiry, while "ascertain the truth" suggests a more definitive act of establishing what is true after an inquiry. You "investigate the matter", then "ascertain the truth".