ascertain when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to determine or find out a specific time or date for an event or action. Example: "We need to ascertain when the meeting is scheduled to take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But it is practically impossible to ascertain when Flaubert's self-mockery is contrived, and to resist its subversiveness.

The New Yorker

To ascertain when that would be, I found my way to the captain's bridge and explained my query to the ship's navigation officer, Takeshi.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last night Dirk Vande Beek, Mr. Cheney's spokesman, said he was trying to ascertain when the Cheneys' full tax returns may be disclosed.

The New York Times

The Japanese say that they are hunting whales off Antarctica in order to ascertain when there will be enough to harvest for profit.

The New Yorker

It is very difficult to ascertain when tattooing came about in human culture because there are few written records and scientists must instead look at the archaeological record.

Independent

There will be practical difficulties: the use of an online system; the confusion that will inevitably arise from combining benefits; how landlords will ascertain when individual residents move across to universal credit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We haven't ascertained when they're ready for that and how we're going to organise that, but they certainly want to".

The Guardian

Ivory harvested prior to 1990, however, is still legal to sell, and the difficulty in ascertaining when ivory was taken allows for illegally harvested ivory to be passed off as "pre-ban".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ascertaining when a Radiohead album is likely to arrive has become the kind of task Hercule Poirot would be well suited to: scan the band members' remarks, see what kind of footage is appearing on their website, scan all the paperwork, and then make the dramatic pronouncement.

The Guardian - Music

The approach ascertains when the system needs to undergo maintenance, repair and overhaul before failure occurs.

Procedia CIRP

Solomon proposes a scheme for ascertaining when a distribution is normatively appropriate.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain when" when you need to determine the timing of an event with a degree of certainty based on available information.

Common error

While "ascertain when" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler phrases like "find out when" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain when" functions as an introductory clause or phrase setting up an indirect question. It's used to express the need to discover or establish the time at which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain when" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about the timing of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in formal and scientific contexts, though also common in news and business writing. Consider using more informal alternatives like "find out when" in casual settings. While the phrase is clear, ensure the level of formality matches the context of your writing to maintain consistency and clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. The phrase is very versatile and can be used in variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learn when

A simpler and more direct synonym for finding out the time of something.

find out when

A more informal way to express the same idea, suitable for casual contexts.

figure out the date

Similar in meaning, but it focuses on discovering a calendar day.

work out when

This alternative includes the idea of solving a problem to find a time.

determine the timing of

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary and emphasizes the act of setting a specific time.

pinpoint the date

This phrase suggests finding an exact and specific date.

identify the moment that

Focuses on pinpointing the exact moment something occurs.

establish the time that

This option highlights the process of making a time definite and official.

confirm the period

Similar, but instead of a single point in time, it refers to a duration.

discover the point at which

This alternative is slightly more verbose and emphasizes finding a specific moment.

FAQs

How can I use "ascertain when" in a sentence?

You can use "ascertain when" to inquire about determining the timing of an event. For example, "We need to "ascertain when" the project will be completed."

What are some alternatives to "ascertain when"?

Alternatives to "ascertain when" include "determine when", "find out when", or "establish when", depending on the context.

Is "ascertain when" formal or informal?

"Ascertain when" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, phrases like "find out when" might be more fitting.

What is the difference between "ascertain when" and "determine when"?

While both phrases are similar, "ascertain when" suggests a more careful and thorough investigation to arrive at a conclusion. "Determine when" is a more general term.