attempting to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are trying to find out or determine information or facts about something. Example: "The researchers are attempting to ascertain the cause of the unusual behavior observed in the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That's what the investigation is attempting to ascertain".

The Guardian

Something like Samuel Beckett's "The Unnamable," the story of an indeterminate entity attempting to ascertain whether he exists, would be perfect.

The New York Times

"We have talked with officials of the Libyan government in Tripoli, and they tell us they are attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of our journalists," said the paper's executive editor, Bill Keller.

The Washington Post

RNA isolation from tissue is nonnegotiable when studying diseased tissue, when attempting to ascertain a tissue-specific response to an experimental challenge or other insult, or when trying to characterize the molecular physiology of normal tissue.

RNA Methodologies Laboratory Guide for Isolation and Characterization

Foreign citizens who enter America illegally or who accept employment in violation of the terms of their visas are breaking the law, as are Americans who employ them knowingly or without attempting to ascertain their immigration status.

The Economist

A third video shows a man taking photographs of the suspects as they carried out their mission – a man the police said they were "attempting to ascertain the identity of".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Previous studies have attempted to ascertain the extent of anthropogenic disturbance within karst areas using various standardized methods.

Applied Geography

In his work De Trinitate, Augustine attempted to ascertain traces of divine Trinity in the human intellect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new study has attempted to ascertain the deepest global fears of the world's population on an unprecedented scale.

Independent

Toner said he was unaware of whether US diplomats had attempted to ascertain the status of Wang since leaving the consulate.

The Guardian

We attempted to ascertain whether pre-existing inflammatory state [caused by exogenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] exacerbated multiorgan dysfunction in experimental heatstroke.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to ascertain" when you want to convey a sense of formal investigation or determined effort to discover a fact or truth. It's particularly suitable in academic, scientific, or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "attempting to ascertain" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "trying to find out" or "trying to learn" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to ascertain" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase acting as a verbal, indicating an ongoing effort to discover or establish something definitively. It emphasizes the process of investigation or inquiry, as evidenced by examples found through Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to ascertain" is a verb phrase that signifies an ongoing effort to discover or establish something, typically in a formal context. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and commonly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. While effective for conveying precision, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Alternatives like "trying to determine" or "seeking to establish" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase, highlighting its role in formal investigation and determined efforts to uncover facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to determine

Replaces "ascertain" with "determine", focusing on establishing something definitively.

seeking to establish

Replaces "attempting" with "seeking" and "ascertain" with "establish", suggesting a formal or deliberate effort.

working to discover

Emphasizes the effort involved in finding something previously unknown.

endeavoring to verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

aiming to confirm

Similar to 'endeavoring to verify' but with a slightly less formal tone.

investigating to find out

Highlights the investigative nature of the process.

probing to reveal

Suggests a more in-depth and potentially challenging investigation.

striving to learn

Focuses on acquiring knowledge or understanding.

making an effort to discern

Emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing or recognizing something.

undertaking to validate

Suggests a formal commitment to proving something true.

FAQs

How can I use "attempting to ascertain" in a sentence?

You can use "attempting to ascertain" to describe an effort to discover or establish something, as in "The detectives are attempting to ascertain the identity of the suspect."

What are some alternatives to "attempting to ascertain"?

Alternatives include "trying to determine", "seeking to establish", or "working to discover", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "attempting to ascertain" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "attempting to ascertain" is rather formal. For informal contexts, consider using phrases like "trying to find out" or "trying to learn".

What's the difference between "attempting to ascertain" and "trying to guess"?

"Attempting to ascertain" implies a systematic and diligent effort to discover a fact, while "trying to guess" suggests a less structured approach based on speculation.