ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the act of finding out or determining something with certainty. Example: "After thorough investigation, the committee ascertained the facts surrounding the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, that the presumption is actually correct which can only be ascertained extrinsically does not amount to its constituting a decisive ascertainment.

SEP

"We have not ascertained whether the assertions are true," he told the Windy City Times in the interview.

The Guardian

The document opened in Word, and I watched the page count tick up as my computer ascertained the extent of the text.

The Guardian - Books

Related: Earthquake in Nepal - in pictures While the scale of the disaster has yet to be ascertained, the earthquake is likely to put a huge strain on the resources of this poor country, best known for the highest mountain in the world and its rich Hindu culture.

The Guardian

In early 1895, when the government had ascertained that the islands were terra nullius, that is, a no-man's-land controlled or claimed by no one, it annexed them.

The Economist

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

The Economist

"Caloric restriction", as it is known in the trade, works for everything from threadworms to mammals (people included, as far as can be ascertained without the luxury of controlled experiments).

The Economist

The Italian oil and gas company is the largest and longest established foreign oil company in Libya, which has sought new international investments over the past two years after a thaw in its relations with the West.Those were the days, my friendThe buy-out of BCE was finally terminated after auditors ascertained the transaction would make Bell Canada's parent company insolvent.

The Economist

Better quality image sensors reduce noise in images, making fine details in non-ideal lighting more accurate to the scene, and better auto-focus hardware and software produce the sharpness needed for this reflection technique to produce usable results.Even without enough detail to identify a face, the race, hair colour, facial expression and other general features of a person may be ascertained.

The Economist

Test samples, the origin of which had previously been ascertained using conventional techniques, were then analysed to determine the accuracy of their method.

The Economist

The parties that came out front, ANO, TOP 09 and the Social Democrats, campaigned on a pro-EU platform, as can be readily ascertained from their websites.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertained" when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness and certainty in the process of finding something out, particularly in formal writing.

Common error

While "ascertained" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "found out" or "learned" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ascertained" is as the past participle of the verb "ascertain". It's used to indicate that something has been definitively found out or established. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it functions this way, confirming its correct grammatical application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertained" is the past participle of the verb "ascertain", signifying that something has been definitively found out or established through careful investigation. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in formal writing, particularly in scientific, news, and business contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, it's best to avoid it in informal settings where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. Related phrases include "determined", "established", and "verified", each with slight differences in nuance. Therefore, use "ascertained" when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness and certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determined

This alternative conveys a similar meaning of finding something out definitively, often through investigation or calculation.

established

Similar to "ascertained", but more focused on confirming or proving something to be true or factual.

verified

Implies a process of checking or confirming the accuracy of something.

confirmed

Suggests that something previously uncertain has been made definite.

discovered

Indicates finding something out, often unexpectedly or through exploration.

found out

A more informal way of saying "ascertained", suggesting a simple act of gaining knowledge.

learned

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge or skill through experience or study.

unearthed

Implies uncovering something hidden or previously unknown, often through careful searching.

figured out

Suggests solving a problem or understanding something complex.

got to know

A more gradual process of learning or understanding, often through personal interaction.

FAQs

How to use "ascertained" in a sentence?

You can use "ascertained" to describe the act of finding something out for certain. For example, "The facts were "ascertained" after a thorough investigation."

What can I say instead of "ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "determined", "established", or "verified" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ascertained" or "determined"?

Both "ascertained" and "determined" are correct, but "ascertained" suggests a more careful and thorough process of finding something out, while "determined" implies a more decisive act of making a decision or calculation.

What's the difference between "ascertained" and "discovered"?

"Ascertained" implies a deliberate effort to find something out, while "discovered" can suggest a more accidental or unexpected finding. You "ascertain" through investigation, you "discover" by chance.