fail to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to determine or find out information or facts. Example: "The investigation may have failed to ascertain the true cause of the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Consequently, our detection methods may fail to ascertain the complete lineage composition of all colonies, especially in small colonies.

Biological Procedures Online

However, this would fail to ascertain the number of patients presenting to nearby non-laboratory-linked hospitals.

BMJ Open

This passive approach to follow-up may fail to ascertain all deaths and may incorrectly link some incidence and death records.

BMC Cancer

Because of dynamic migration patterns within the United States, these methods may fail to ascertain cases that are due to recent transmission when a putative source case-patient moves or if exposure occurred outside the range of spatial scanning.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Explanation: South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service officers at the scene failed to ascertain the nature of the problem at Leppings Lane.

The Guardian

In Uzbekistan, the Army failed to ascertain, as regulations require, whether its own units, which handled logistics there for the first six months, were available to work when it brought in the contractor, according to Army spokesmen.

The New York Times

Nisman was found shot in his bathroom a day before he was due to testify in Congress against Fernández de Kirchner, but prosecutors have so far failed to ascertain whether it was suicide or murder.

The Guardian

After nine days of torture, Hussain signed a confession and was tried, for reasons unknown, in a special anti-terrorist court where an appointed lawyer failed to ascertain his age or produce any defence witnesses.

The Guardian

I have also read the obligatory reply to your article from the prime minister's office (May 17th).Apart from the colourful language used by Lim Siam Kim, referring to allegations of corruption and dishonesty, among other things, I have failed to ascertain exactly what was said by Mr Tang to warrant millions of dollars in compensation.

The Economist

In court filings, lawyers representing these shareholders said that representatives of the Louisiana and Florida plaintiffs had done little investigation, deposing only two of the bank's directors, and failed to ascertain whether the board had sufficient assets to contribute to a settlement.

The New York Times

The verbal autopsies conducted after the deaths failed to ascertain the aetiologies for either death.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to ascertain", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information or fact was not successfully determined. For example: "The investigation failed to ascertain the cause of the fire."

Common error

Avoid using "fail to ascertain" in overly complex sentences where a simpler phrase like "could not determine" would be more direct and clear. Clarity is key in effective writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fail to ascertain" is that of a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing an inability to determine something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to ascertain" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that expresses an inability to determine or establish something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, its primary context is in scientific and news-related sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the sentence structure is not overly complex to maintain effective communication. Consider alternatives like "unable to determine" or "fail to discover" for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to determine

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to find something out.

did not manage to ascertain

Emphasizes a lack of success when seeking to find something out.

unable to determine

Focuses on the inability to reach a decision or conclusion.

unable to discover

Highlights the lack of success in finding something previously unknown.

unable to establish

Highlights the lack of success in proving or creating something.

unable to verify

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

not able to find out

Emphasizes the inability to obtain information through investigation or inquiry.

missed the opportunity to ascertain

Highlights that an occasion to find out something was lost.

neglected to ascertain

Highlights the fact that there was a lack of care when seeking to find something out.

failed to establish certainty

Highlights the inability to make something clearly defined.

FAQs

What does "fail to ascertain" mean?

The phrase "fail to ascertain" means to be unsuccessful in finding something out for certain, or to not determine or establish something definitively.

What can I say instead of "fail to ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to determine", "unable to establish", or "fail to determine" depending on the context.

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

Here's an example: "The investigation may have failed to ascertain the true cause of the accident."

What is the difference between "fail to ascertain" and "fail to investigate"?

"Fail to ascertain" implies an unsuccessful attempt to find something out, while "fail to investigate" implies a lack of effort in seeking information. One refers to the result, the other to the action (or lack thereof).