ascertain with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ascertain with' is correct in written English.
It is usually used to mean “to determine or establish with certainty.” For example, you could use it in the sentence: “We were able to ascertain with certainty who the culprit was.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"But we all know that there are ways to ascertain with high confidence the general approach that potential justices will take to the Constitution".

The New York Times

I'm not in favor of specific, narrow litmus tests, but we all know that there are ways to ascertain with high confidence the general approach that potential justices will take to the Constitution.

The New York Times

For example, in Florida, "If we were omniscient, or if time were of no moment, we could probably do the fair thing and ascertain with near certainty how everyone voted," Professor Gillers said.

The New York Times

"As it is impossible for me to ascertain with certainty who these anonymous writers are," he wrote, "I beg to suggest that another order be published holding the editors responsible for its infraction".

The New York Times

But it will probably be impossible to ascertain with any confidence whether a cease-fire actually takes hold, as there has been no agreement between the Syrian government and Mr. Annan's team about deploying international monitors.

The New York Times

3) He had superior olfactory capability; he could smell barbecue from four miles away, attaining such mastery that he could ascertain, with the faintest nostril quivering, if the stuff on the grill had just been thrown on, or was about to come off, and acted accordingly.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

These voters should not be disfranchised where their intent may be ascertained with reasonable certainty, simply because the chad they punched did not completely dislodge from the ballot.

The New York Times

Views on politics and the law were frequently ascertained with reference to where one took the black brew.

The Economist

Our courts have repeatedly held that, where the intention of the voter can be ascertained with reasonable certainty from his ballot, that intention will be given effect even though the ballot is not strictly in conformity with the law...

The New York Times

It is that contrary to what you may have gleaned from the literary deconstructionists, there is a truth, and if it can't be ascertained with total assurance, it can certainly be closely approached, like the calculus approaching the curve.

The New York Times - Books

It hinted broadly that dimpled chads should be counted, quoting an Illinois Supreme Court opinion declaring that "voters should not be disfranchised where their intent may be ascertained with reasonable certainty".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "ascertain with" when you want to convey a sense of careful and thorough investigation, leading to a confident conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain with" in overly casual conversations. It is generally more appropriate for formal writing or professional settings. Simpler alternatives like "find out with" or "determine with" might be better suited for informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain with" functions as a verb phrase often used to indicate the process of finding something out for certain. It often introduces the means or method used to obtain accurate information, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain with" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a process of thorough investigation and confident determination. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its suitability for formal contexts, particularly within scientific and news-related domains. While not exceedingly common, the phrase provides a precise way to specify the means by which information is verified, offering clarity and credibility. If a simpler alternative is needed, "determine with" may be preferred. Always consider your audience and the level of formality required when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine with

This alternative uses a simpler verb, focusing on the act of finding something out. It is direct and maintains a similar level of formality.

establish with

This phrase suggests setting something firmly in place using a particular method, similar to determining something with certainty.

verify with

This alternative emphasizes confirming the truth or accuracy of something using a specific means.

confirm with

This phrase indicates strengthening or validating something with a certain approach.

validate with

This alternative focuses on checking or proving the validity of something using a specific method or tool.

find out with

This phrase is more informal, suggesting discovering something through investigation.

discover with

This implies uncovering something new or previously unknown, similar to establishing something through investigation.

ascertain by means of

This is a more formal way of saying how something is ascertained.

determine by using

It clearly states that a method or tool will be used to determine something.

establish through

This focuses on the process or method by which something is established or proven.

FAQs

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

You can use "ascertain with" to indicate that something is determined or established through a specific method. For example, "We were able to "ascertain with" confidence the accuracy of the data using statistical analysis."

What does "ascertain with" mean?

"Ascertain with" means to find something out for certain or to establish something using a particular method or level of confidence. It implies a thorough and careful investigation.

Which is more appropriate: "ascertain" or "ascertain with"?

While "ascertain" alone can mean to find something out for certain, "ascertain with" is used to specify the means or method by which something is determined. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and level of detail you want to provide.

What are some alternatives to "ascertain with"?

Some alternatives to "ascertain with" include "determine with", "establish with", or "verify with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.