ascertain this matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain this matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the need to investigate or determine the details of a specific issue or situation. Example: "Before making a decision, we need to ascertain this matter to ensure we have all the facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, due to lack of data on zoanthid research and distribution for the entire Persian Gulf, further investigation is needed to clearly ascertain this matter.

International Aquatic Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unfortunately, we have been unable to ascertain this.

TechCrunch

The study employed the Cholesky (Lutkepohl) test to ascertain this.

Health Economics Review

The problem is how to ascertain this information.

SEP

"As far as we can ascertain, this event did not occur on campus.

Vice

There are tests to ascertain this excessive joint mobility that are relatively unique to a Marfan syndrome patient.

Huffington Post

The CDP questionnaire specifically linked to a previous UCS report giving straightforward guidance on how to ascertain this information.

Huffington Post

Additional experiments are needed to ascertain this hypothesis.

Plosone

However, the IPCC is not investigating but carrying out a "scoping" exercise to ascertain whether the matter can be referred for a full investigation.

The Guardian - Opinion

When students first open Yup, a bot briefly interviews them to ascertain what subject matter and level of tutoring help they need to match them with an ideal tutor.

TechCrunch

"As is usual in these circumstances, we have made contact with Mr Tymon through his lawyers, to ask him to speak to us so we can ascertain how he wishes to pursue this matter".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascertain this matter", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific issue or situation you are referring to. Be precise in defining what needs to be ascertained.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain this matter" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "find out about this" or "look into this" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain this matter" functions as a directive, indicating a need for careful investigation or confirmation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. The examples show its application in contexts requiring clarification or verification of a particular issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertain this matter" is a grammatically sound directive used to emphasize the need for a thorough investigation or confirmation of a specific issue. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for formal contexts such as news reports, scientific papers, and business communications. While it conveys a sense of seriousness and objectivity, it is less appropriate for informal settings. Related phrases like "determine this issue" or "investigate this situation" can offer more context-appropriate alternatives. Using this phrase effectively involves ensuring clarity in the subject matter and avoiding overuse in casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine this issue

Replaces "ascertain" with the more direct "determine" and "matter" with "issue".

investigate this situation

Substitutes "ascertain" with "investigate", highlighting the process of inquiry, and "matter" with "situation".

clarify this situation

Focuses on making the situation clear rather than just finding information.

establish these facts

Emphasizes the solidifying of factual information rather than a general inquiry.

confirm these details

Implies verifying existing details rather than discovering new information.

verify this information

Suggests checking the truth or accuracy of the information involved.

get to the bottom of this

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a thorough investigation to find the root cause.

look into this question

Highlights a formal and inquisitive approach to the underlying question.

find out about this issue

A more informal way of saying to discover information.

research this topic

Highlights the methodical investigation of a specific subject.

FAQs

How can I use "ascertain this matter" in a sentence?

You can use "ascertain this matter" to indicate the need to investigate and confirm details of a specific situation. For example, "Before making a decision, we need to ascertain this matter to ensure we have all the facts."

What are some alternatives to "ascertain this matter"?

Alternatives include "determine this issue", "investigate this situation", or "clarify this situation", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "ascertain this matter"?

It's suitable in formal or professional contexts where a careful and thorough investigation or confirmation is required, such as in legal, scientific, or business settings.

What is the difference between "ascertain this matter" and "look into this"?

"Ascertain this matter" is more formal and implies a deeper, more methodical investigation. "Look into this" is more casual and suggests a preliminary examination.