it was ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to indicate that something has been discovered or established after an investigation or inquiry. For example, "After the inspection, it was ascertained that the building was structurally sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Upon arrival," the Darien Police Department said in a statement, "it was ascertained that Morrison had been becoming increasingly belligerent toward his wife during the course of the evening, culminating in his choking her by the neck with both hands".

The New York Times

It was ascertained that its strength must exceed 270 GPa.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It was ascertained that a relatively fast adsorption of AA precedes its hydrogenation to propene and propane in the absence of Mo VI) in the electrolyte solution.

Electrochimica Acta

In conclusion, it was ascertained that these results agreed qualitatively well with the experimental results.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

It was ascertained that the synthesized product is thermally stable and possess crystalline, porous carbon structure.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It was ascertained, after a number of tests, that Harvard crimson is a bit on the purple side of red.

The New Yorker

So once it was ascertained that Harvard affiliates were safe, the conversation quickly turned to practical ways to help.

Harvard University

It was ascertained that a disk with conical generatrix formed more intensive convective flows from a faceplate with larger diameter.

Journal of Crystal Growth

It was ascertained that residents derived more utility from implementation of the targeted development scenario than visitors.

Land Use Policy

It was ascertained that the amorphous coatings obtained have a significant microhardness and heat-resistance up to 870°C.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It was ascertained that an admirer of a woman whose husband was aboard had hired a couple of former convicts to conceal a time bomb in the plane.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what conducted the investigation. For example, instead of saying "It was ascertained by the team that...", simply state "The team ascertained that...".

Common error

Avoid using "it was ascertained" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "I found out" or "I learned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was ascertained" functions as a passive voice construction used to report a finding or conclusion that has been established through investigation or analysis. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was ascertained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in formal English to indicate that something has been established after an investigation or careful consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, signaling its formal register. For alternative phrasing, consider "it was determined" or "it was established" to maintain a similar level of formality. Remember to avoid overuse in informal settings and ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the ascertainment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was determined

Changes the wording to "determined", suggesting a slightly more formal or definitive conclusion.

it was established

Replaces "ascertained" with "established", implying that something was firmly proven or recognized.

it was discovered

Uses "discovered", highlighting the act of finding something out, often unexpectedly.

it was found

Employs "found", which is a simpler and more direct way of saying something was learned or revealed.

it was learned

Substitutes "ascertained" with "learned", focusing on the acquisition of knowledge or information.

it was confirmed

Replaces "ascertained" with "confirmed", indicating that something was verified to be true.

it was verified

Uses "verified", emphasizing that something has been checked and proven accurate.

the findings showed

Shifts the focus to the findings, indicating that the results of an investigation revealed something.

the investigation revealed

Highlights the investigation process and its outcome, where something was made known.

the study indicated

Focuses on a study as the source of the information, suggesting that research pointed to a particular conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "it was ascertained" in a sentence?

You can use "it was ascertained" to indicate that something has been discovered or established after an investigation. For example, "After the audit, "it was ascertained" that there were financial irregularities."

What are some alternatives to "it was ascertained"?

Some alternatives to "it was ascertained" include "it was determined", "it was established", or "it was discovered". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "it was ascertained"?

"It was ascertained" is appropriate in formal writing or when describing the results of a formal investigation or analysis. It is less suitable for casual conversation or informal contexts.

What's the difference between "it was ascertained" and "it was assumed"?

"It was ascertained" implies that something was confirmed through investigation or evidence, while "it was assumed" suggests that something was taken for granted without proof. "It was ascertained" is based on evidence, whereas "it was assumed" is based on presumption.