could not be ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something could not be determined or established with certainty. Example: "The cause of the malfunction could not be ascertained despite thorough investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cost of the effort could not be ascertained Tuesday.

The Washington Post

However, these figures are incomplete, as large numbers of writing credits could not be ascertained.

The Guardian - Film

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

The Guardian

However, it could not be ascertained whether the Iraqis had actually received any of the planes.

The New York Times

And the deployment history of the final third could not be ascertained.

The New York Times

Whether Mr. Baron Cohen would take offense — or head to the courts — could not be ascertained.

The New York Times

Failure modes could not be ascertained, since the experiments were stopped due to limitations in test set-up.

Engineering Structures

The impact of the studied factors could not be ascertained for the shear resistance of the adhesive coating.

International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives

A propulsion influence of an electrical locomotive on the radiated total sound level could not be ascertained.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Ian Smith, the original coroner, now retired, had said the cause of Poppi's death could not be ascertained.

Independent

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not be ascertained", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific information or fact was impossible to determine. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be ascertained" in casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "couldn't be found out" or "wasn't clear" are more appropriate for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be ascertained" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was impossible to determine or establish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses uncertainty or a lack of definitive information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

28%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not be ascertained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly found in scientific and news contexts to indicate that something was impossible to determine. As Ludwig AI confirms, it carries a formal tone and is best employed when precision and objectivity are paramount. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives such as "remained unknown" or "was unclear" are more suitable. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be determined

Replaces "ascertained" with a more common synonym, "determined", maintaining the same meaning.

could not be established

Substitutes "ascertained" with "established", emphasizing the inability to confirm or prove something.

could not be verified

Focuses on the inability to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

remained unknown

Shifts the focus to the state of being unknown rather than the act of determining.

the details were unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding specific information.

was not able to be found

Emphasizes the effort to discover something and the failure to do so.

information was unavailable

Indicates that the necessary data or details were not accessible.

it was impossible to know

Highlights the impossibility of gaining knowledge about something.

the answer was elusive

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the difficulty in finding an answer.

the source could not be traced

Highlights the impossibility to trace back the beginning/source of something.

FAQs

How can I use "could not be ascertained" in a sentence?

You can use "could not be ascertained" to indicate that something was impossible to determine. For example, "The cause of the error "could not be ascertained" despite several tests".

What's a simpler way to say "could not be ascertained"?

Alternatives include "could not be determined", "could not be established", or "remained unknown" depending on the specific context.

Is "could not be ascertained" formal language?

Yes, "could not be ascertained" is considered formal language. It's best suited for academic, scientific, or professional writing, while a simpler term like "was unclear" might be better in everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "could not be ascertained" and "could not be assessed"?

"Could not be ascertained" indicates an inability to find something out, while "could not be assessed" indicates an inability to evaluate something. Ascertaining refers to establishing a fact, while assessing refers to judging the value or quality of something.