help ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the idea of assisting in determining or finding out information or facts. Example: "The new software will help ascertain the efficiency of our current processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The results could help ascertain which features of this "zoo of possibilities" are more common and which are more rare, and how many solutions really are too many.

The New York Times - Science

If successful, the research might help ascertain the identity of the woman depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece – a mystery that has puzzled scholars and art lovers for centuries and generated countless theories.

The Guardian - Arts

BP Azerbaijan would slowly start to get its people back out on the CA Platform later this week to begin re-starting selective systems that would help ascertain the problem's source.

The Guardian

So far, just over a hundred exploratory concessions have been awarded to energy firms (both Polish ventures and joint Polish-overseas partnerships) to drill and help ascertain for certain just how much gas is available – and where.

The Guardian

Irate residents claim that seismic testing, during which compressed air guns are blasted underwater to help ascertain whether rock formations contain fossil fuels, would harm marine life, including 20 species of marine mammals – among them the endangered right whales that traverse the area.

The Guardian

In a remarkable evocation of the secretive ways and hidden priorities of the cold war, Britain's Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged today that thousands of bones were taken from dead babies without parental consent to help ascertain the impact of atmospheric nuclear testing.

The New York Times

"J Anderson" popped up on the scoreboard and it took word of mouth among us in the travelling support to help ascertain that this was Lancashire's new whiz-kid, playing only his sixth game of professional limited-overs cricket after being promoted from the academy because of Andrew Caddick's dicky knee.

The Guardian - Sport

AS THE world gathers in Copenhagen over the coming weeks to discuss how much carbon dioxide people should be putting into the atmosphere, the Benguela Stream will be docking in the Windward Isles to bring bananas to Europe for Christmas, and doing her bit to help ascertain where a large part of that CO2 ends up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unless, perhaps, the boot company was making an ironic comment that the term celebrity is now so debased that the public needs help ascertaining their actual names.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It also helps ascertain what's premium to the candidate to avoid low retention rates.

Huffington Post

To determine the kinetic constants, the protocol of ligand-multiple injections was adopted, which also helped ascertain the maximum velocity for the enzymatic reaction (13).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help ascertain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being determined or discovered. For example, "The investigation will help ascertain the cause of the accident."

Common error

While acceptable, "help ascertain" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "assist in determining" or "facilitate the identification". Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help ascertain" functions as a verb phrase indicating assistance in the process of finding something out or establishing a fact. It suggests a contribution to the determination or discovery of information, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "help ascertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate assistance in discovering or determining something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "assist in determining" or "aid in discovering" may provide a more formal tone, "help ascertain" strikes a balance between accessibility and professionalism. Be mindful of the specific context when choosing between these options. The phrase is widely supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing the concept of contributing to a process of discovery or determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist in determining

Replaces "help ascertain" with a more formal and direct alternative, emphasizing the act of determining.

aid in discovering

Substitutes "help" with "aid" and "ascertain" with "discovering", focusing on the uncovering of information.

facilitate the determination

Uses a more formal tone by employing "facilitate" and "determination", highlighting the act of making a decision.

contribute to finding out

Replaces "ascertain" with the more common phrase "finding out", implying a contribution to the process.

play a role in establishing

Emphasizes the part played in the process of establishing something, rather than directly helping to ascertain.

support the discovery of

Focuses on supporting the uncovering or finding of something, using slightly different vocabulary.

enable the identification

Highlights the enabling aspect of identifying something, rather than the direct assistance.

make it easier to determine

Uses a more descriptive approach, specifying that the action makes determination easier.

lend assistance to figuring out

Employs "lend assistance" for "help" and "figuring out" for "ascertain", creating a more informal alternative.

be instrumental in confirming

Emphasizes the instrumental role in confirming something, rather than just assisting in the process.

FAQs

How can I use "help ascertain" in a sentence?

You can use "help ascertain" to indicate assistance in determining or finding something out. For example, "Further research will help ascertain the long-term effects of the medication."

What can I say instead of "help ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "assist in determining", "aid in discovering", or "facilitate the determination" depending on the context.

Is "help ascertain" formal or informal?

"Help ascertain" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "assist in determining" may be preferred in some situations.

What's the difference between "help ascertain" and "help determine"?

While similar, "help ascertain" implies a more thorough and investigatory process of finding something out, while "help determine" is a more general term for aiding in making a decision or conclusion. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.