can be ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be ascertain" is not correct in English.
The correct form should be "can be ascertained." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing the ability to determine or find out information. Example: "The results of the experiment can be ascertained through careful analysis of the data."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What can be ascertain at this juncture is the fact that implant companies designing total knee arthroplasty components have made great strides in adopting the measurements of the Asian population into newer implant designs, specifically targeting to market the product to these populations.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus this rate can be ascertained and projected.

Harvard Business Review

The location, size and depth of cave can be ascertained.

Procedia Engineering

Expert opinion is divided on whether the identity of the cyber-warriors can be ascertained properly.

The Guardian

"Their credit can be ascertained from their own country," Ms. Kennedy said.

The New York Times

The most meaningful associations are those in which all the relevant factors can be ascertained reliably.

The New York Times - Magazine

The distance of the star from the zenith (north or south) also can be ascertained.

Britannica

Another demonstration involves sticking knives into ketchup and mustard to show how the order of multiple stabbings can be ascertained.

The New York Times

No member of Congress, so far as can be ascertained, has made that accusation in so many words.

The New Yorker

Drivers who know that their pre-crash actions can be ascertained are likely to modify their habits.

The New York Times

The sheer scale of the planning can be ascertained from the 3 million-litre reservoirs needed for storing water.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct passive form, "can be ascertained", when you intend to express that something is able to be determined. Prefer more common synonyms such as "can be determined" or "can be identified" when possible, especially for general audiences.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "ascertain" after "can be". The correct form is the past participle, "ascertained". Using "can be ascertain" is a grammatical error and should be corrected to "can be ascertained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be ascertain" is intended to express the possibility of determining or finding something out. However, due to its grammatical incorrectness, it fails to perform this function effectively. Ludwig AI notes that the phrase is not correct English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be ascertain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can be ascertained". Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incorrect English, and its usage should be avoided in favor of grammatically sound alternatives such as "can be determined" or "can be identified". While the phrase might appear across different contexts, particularly in science and news, its incorrectness undermines its credibility. Always prioritize using the correct passive form to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be ascertained

This is the grammatically correct passive form of the verb.

can be determined

Replaces "ascertain" with a more common and easily understood synonym.

can be established

Focuses on confirming or proving something's validity.

can be identified

Highlights the ability to recognize or pinpoint something specific.

can be discovered

Emphasizes the act of finding something previously unknown.

can be found out

An informal way of saying something can be learned or revealed.

can be figured out

Suggests a process of reasoning or problem-solving to understand something.

can be learned

Emphasizes the possibility of gaining knowledge about something.

can be understood

Focuses on the ability to comprehend something.

can be recognized

Highlights the potential for something to be acknowledged or noticed.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the verb "ascertain" in the passive voice with "can be"?

The correct passive form is "can be ascertained". The phrase "can be ascertain" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use the past participle form of the verb after "can be" in passive constructions.

What can I say instead of "can be ascertain"?

Since "can be ascertain" is grammatically incorrect, use alternatives like "can be ascertained", "can be determined", or "can be identified" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be ascertain" or "can be ascertained"?

"Can be ascertained" is the correct form. "Can be ascertain" is grammatically incorrect. The auxiliary verb "be" requires the past participle form of the verb in passive constructions.

Is "can be ascertain" ever acceptable in formal writing?

No, "can be ascertain" is not acceptable in formal writing due to it being a grammatical error. Always use "can be ascertained" or other suitable alternatives like "can be determined" or "can be established".