be ascertained by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be ascertained by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something can be determined or established through a specific means or method. Example: "The results of the experiment can be ascertained by analyzing the data collected over the past month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Those responsible for the firing could not be ascertained by the United Nations military observers.

The Guardian

The full truth was to be ascertained by bitter experience, after spending a year on the spot.

The Guardian

In mudrocks, fabrics can be ascertained by studying the platelike arrangement of mica and clay minerals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last Sunday, Waltrip knew very quickly how bad Earnhardt's crash was, even though the extent of his injuries could not be ascertained by Fox.

The New York Times - Sports

Their overall quality can be ascertained by this typical exchange: "Before 9/11 you called your younger brother in Germany and told him, 'Concentrate on your school.' What did you mean with this code?" "I didn't use any code.

The Guardian - Books

He said the method should be useful in any kind of genetic engineering where genes must be inserted at a specific site, and in any genome project where the function of an unknown gene could be ascertained by disrupting it.

The New York Times

Contributions of alloys and atmospheric particles from industrial processes can be ascertained by SEM.

Applied Geochemistry

We also believe that the benefits of surgical treatment of metastatic lesions need to be ascertained by following up the patient over time.

Surgical Case Reports

The effectiveness of mixed-income housing developments could not be ascertained by this systematic review because of a lack of comparative research.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

The quality of drinking water may be ascertained by its microbiological and some important physiochemical test such as pH, TDS and metal concentration.

Applied Water Science

It has been found out that the true workability of SFC cannot be ascertained by the slump tests as the fibers significantly affect the rheology of fresh concrete.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be ascertained by", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the method or means by which something can be determined. Clarity in specifying the method strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be ascertained by" without clearly specifying how something is ascertained. For instance, instead of 'The cause can be ascertained', specify 'The cause can "be ascertained by" analyzing the data'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be ascertained by" functions as a passive construction, indicating how something can be discovered or determined. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to specify the method or means of acquiring knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be ascertained by" is a common passive construction used to indicate that something can be discovered or determined through a specific method. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in scientific and news contexts. When using "be ascertained by", ensure clarity by specifying the method of ascertainment, and consider related phrases like "be determined by" or "be established by" for nuanced meanings. Understanding its function and appropriate usage can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be determined by

Focuses on the act of finding something out definitively; it changes the verb while maintaining the passive structure.

be established by

Similar to 'determined' but emphasizes the act of proving or setting something as fact.

be identified through

Highlights the process of recognizing or singling out something specific using a particular method.

be discovered via

Suggests a finding or uncovering through a specific route or tool.

be verified through

Stresses the confirmation of accuracy or truth using a defined process.

be confirmed with

Indicates a process of validating or corroborating information with certain data or methods.

be recognized from

Emphasizes the identification of something based on particular characteristics or markers.

be understood through

Focuses on achieving comprehension or insight by means of a certain approach or perspective.

be learned from

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge or information via a specific source or experience.

be uncovered by

Implies revealing something previously hidden or unknown, often through investigation or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "be ascertained by" in a sentence?

Use "be ascertained by" to indicate that something can be discovered or determined through a particular method or source. For example, 'The effectiveness of the treatment can "be ascertained by" analyzing patient outcomes'.

What can I say instead of "be ascertained by"?

You can use alternatives such as "be determined by", "be established by", or "be identified through" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be ascertained by"?

While "be ascertained by" is passive, consider whether an active voice construction would be clearer. For example, instead of 'The results can "be ascertained by" the researchers', you could say 'Researchers can ascertain the results'.

What's the difference between "be ascertained by" and "be verified by"?

"Be ascertained by" suggests a process of discovering something, while "be verified by" implies confirming something already believed to be true. Ascertaining is about finding out; verifying is about proving accuracy.