complex to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to determine or understand. Example: "The reasons behind the sudden market fluctuations are complex to ascertain, requiring extensive analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It will now be of great interest to use the structural information at our disposal to differentiate further between the various potential models for the XLF XRCC4 Ligase IV complex to ascertain the precise biochemical attributes of these proteins and to explore in more detail how they function in DNA repair by non-homologous end-joining.

EMBO Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since Poker is running on the victim VM, it does not require complex techniques to ascertain if cryptographic code is being executed or not.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Causes of dropout may be multifactorial and reasons for withdrawal may be more complex than we were able to ascertain.

BMC Medical Education

The most prominent results from examining these natural modes of vibration of the TPC from a Tursiops truncatus are: The modes are complex, probably too complex to be ascertained by inspection or, by implication, an ad hoc lumped parameter model.

Plosone

We are analysing protein-ligand complexes using Secbase to ascertain if a similar difference in hydrogen bonding strength between a ligand and the backbone of secondary structural elements exists.

Chemistry Central Journal

In genetic studies of rare complex diseases it is common to ascertain familial data from population based registries through all incident cases diagnosed during a pre-defined enrollment period.

Plosone

Future researchers should include more complex and non-accredited facilities to ascertain differences in staff motivation and efforts towards quality care based on facility size and accreditation status.

Human Resources for Health

Where specified, 3 nM trypsin (final concentration) was added immediately after core complex reconstitution as described previously to ascertain whether the core components were susceptible to exogenous protease during the aging time course.

Biochemistry

As with all educational interventions, DESMOND is a complex intervention, which makes it difficult to ascertain the active components contributing to positive effects of the intervention.

British Medical Journal

Nevertheless, the results here indicate that CBX6 regulates complex regulatory circuits, further research is needed to ascertain the effects of CB6 on gene expression, elucidate the detailed mechanisms by which CBX6 controls gene expression, directly or indirectly.

Nature

Complex PA interventions have multiple elements which can present as both enablers and barriers and therefore we need to ascertain which elements within the complex intervention might be adapted for successful use within routine consultations.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complex to ascertain" when you want to emphasize the difficulty and sophistication required to determine something, particularly in formal or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "complex to ascertain" in informal settings. Simpler phrases like "difficult to determine" or "hard to figure out" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex to ascertain" functions as an infinitive phrase, where "complex" modifies the infinitive "to ascertain". It typically acts as an adjective describing a noun or concept, indicating that the noun is difficult to determine or understand. Ludwig AI indicates the correct use of the expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complex to ascertain" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to describe something that is difficult to determine or understand due to its intricate nature. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase. While not the most common expression, it is appropriate for formal, scientific, and professional contexts, conveying a sense of sophistication and depth. Simpler alternatives exist for more informal settings. Overusing this phrase in everyday conversation might sound unnatural, so be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing. Examples from Ludwig highlight its usage across scientific, academic, and news domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to ascertain

Substitutes "complex" for "challenging" retaining the meaning of difficulty.

difficult to determine

Replaces "complex" with "difficult" and uses "determine" instead of "ascertain" for a more common phrasing.

complicated to figure out

Similar meaning using the word "complicated" to highlight the problem.

difficult to verify

Focuses on the difficulty of proving or confirming something.

not easy to establish

Emphasizes the challenge in establishing something as a fact.

not straightforward to ascertain

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in the process of finding something out.

hard to figure out

Uses more informal language, replacing "complex" and "ascertain" with simpler synonyms.

involves intricate determination

Highlights the need for a detailed and thorough investigation.

hard to pin down

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the difficulty of identifying something precisely.

requires extensive analysis to confirm

Focuses on the in-depth analysis necessary to reach a conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "complex to ascertain" to describe something that requires significant effort and expertise to understand or determine. For example, "The underlying causes of the economic crisis are "complex to ascertain"".

What are some alternatives to "complex to ascertain"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to determine", "hard to figure out", or "challenging to ascertain", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "complex to ascertain" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "complex to ascertain" is more suited to formal or scientific writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "hard to tell" or "difficult to know" might be more appropriate.

What makes something "complex to ascertain" versus simply "difficult"?

The term "complex to ascertain" implies that the difficulty arises from the intricate nature of the subject matter, requiring in-depth analysis and specialized knowledge. Simply stating something is "difficult" may not convey the same level of intricacy.