ascertaining whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertaining whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to determine or find out if a certain condition or situation is true or applicable. Example: "The committee is ascertaining whether the proposed changes will benefit the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That includes ascertaining whether he did a reasonable job of analyzing and interpreting the data.

Harvard Business Review

We were interested in ascertaining whether the angiopoietins have this activity within the animal proper.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

But in ascertaining whether a certain voter falls into the "likely voter" category, different polling organizations apply different criteria.

The New Yorker

79 As Oracle rightly observes, ascertaining whether such a copy has been made unusable may prove difficult.

Harvard University

We aim at ascertaining whether CA is more efficient than stent retriever as a front-line endovascular procedure.

Journal of Neuroradiology

Going forward, law enforcement agencies will have to devise better ways of ascertaining whether someone arrested is a foreign national and of notifying the appropriate consular officials.

The New York Times

When it comes to ascertaining whether it is justified, one major question comes to the fore: will it work to make us safer?

The Guardian - Opinion

This paper investigates the issue of ascertaining whether gas can replace water for determining the flow parameters in fractured porous media.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

"It makes little sense for the court to rush" into considering Microsoft's request "before ascertaining whether it will have jurisdiction over the case," the department's brief said.

The New York Times

Lord Saville chose to go down the route of ascertaining whether victim A was killed by a bullet fired from the rifle of paratrooper X.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here's what is: ascertaining whether Kelly can provide a product that generates buzz in one of the country's most densely populated sports markets.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascertaining whether", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific criteria or methods being used to determine the truth or validity of the situation. Be precise in what you are trying to find out.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures when using "ascertaining whether". Often, simpler alternatives like "determining if" or "checking whether" can convey the same meaning more directly and clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertaining whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses uncertainty or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it precedes a clause requiring investigation or confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ascertaining whether" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that introduces an element of inquiry or investigation, as verified by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts, this phrase serves to initiate a process of establishing the certainty or validity of a condition. While it is considered a formal expression, simpler alternatives exist for more casual communication. Remember to maintain clarity and precision in your sentences when using "ascertaining whether", avoiding unnecessarily complex structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determining whether

Focuses more directly on the act of making a decision or conclusion.

establishing whether

Emphasizes the act of firmly proving or validating a fact or condition.

investigating whether

Highlights a more in-depth and methodical examination.

verifying whether

Stresses the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

confirming whether

Implies a need for validation or corroboration of existing information.

assessing whether

Suggests an evaluation or judgment is being made in the process.

checking whether

Indicates a simpler, more routine form of verification.

examining whether

Focuses on a detailed inspection to uncover information.

finding out whether

Implies discovering information that was previously unknown.

exploring whether

Suggests an open-ended inquiry with uncertain outcomes.

FAQs

What does "ascertaining whether" mean?

The phrase "ascertaining whether" means to find something out for certain, making sure of it, or discovering it. It's often used in formal contexts to indicate a careful and thorough investigation.

What are some alternatives to "ascertaining whether"?

Alternatives include "determining whether", "establishing whether", or "investigating whether", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "ascertaining whether" in a sentence?

You can use "ascertaining whether" to introduce a clause that expresses a condition or fact you are trying to confirm. For example, "The study focused on ascertaining whether the new drug was effective".

Is "ascertaining whether" formal or informal?

"Ascertaining whether" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "finding out whether" or "checking whether" may be more appropriate.