may be ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something can be determined or discovered through investigation or inquiry. Example: "The exact cause of the issue may be ascertained through further analysis of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Characteristics of sensory functions may be ascertained by training a laboratory animal or asking a human being to respond differentially to various aspects of the stimulus.

Britannica

The first mission of a newspaper is to tell the truth as nearly as the truth may be ascertained.

The Washington Post

These voters should not be disfranchised where their intent may be ascertained with reasonable certainty, simply because the chad they punched did not completely dislodge from the ballot.

The New York Times

But we need not determine here by what tests the existence of a 'religion' or the 'free exercise' thereof in the constitutional sense may be ascertained or measured.

Cornell University

It hinted broadly that dimpled chads should be counted, quoting an Illinois Supreme Court opinion declaring that "voters should not be disfranchised where their intent may be ascertained with reasonable certainty".

The New York Times

The requirements for certification to teach chemistry in the secondary schools of California may be ascertained by consulting the section on credentials under the "School of Education" section of this bulletin and the credential administrator of the School of Education.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ridley, encouragingly, walked off the field under his own power yesterday, though the long-term damage of a single hit like that may never be ascertained.

The Guardian - Sport

The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) for various sectors, industries (which are major pollutant contributor) may also be ascertained as the CSR will not only bring reduction in hazardous emissions but also generate avenues for financial gains for the big giants by tax incentive mechanism and ethical rationale of saving the planet for the humanity cause.

Environmental Systems Research

Private information must be individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information) in order for obtaining the information to constitute research involving human subjects.

Plosone

10, 11 This occurrence is probably underestimated as milder phenotypes may not be ascertained.

Application of Clinical Genetics

The proposed score consists of mainly objectively measurable parameters, which may robustly be ascertained in retrospect.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be ascertained" when you want to express that something can be determined or discovered through investigation or analysis. It is particularly useful in formal and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "may be ascertained" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "can be found out" or "can be determined" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be ascertained" functions as a passive modal construction, indicating the possibility of something being discovered or established. As supported by Ludwig, it expresses that a fact or truth is able to be determined through investigation or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

26%

News & Media

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be ascertained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in formal contexts like science, academia, and news media. According to Ludwig, it indicates the possibility of something being determined or discovered through investigation. While effective in formal writing, it's essential to consider simpler alternatives such as "can be determined" or "can be found out" for informal settings. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions reinforces its credibility and appropriate usage in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be determined

Replaces the modal verb "may" with "can", suggesting a possibility of determination.

can be established

Similar to "determined", but emphasizes the act of setting something as a fact.

is possible to determine

Expands the phrase to emphasize the possibility of determination.

can be found out

More informal, focusing on the discovery aspect.

it is possible to find

Focuses on the action of finding something, making it more direct.

one can discover

Uses "discover" instead of "ascertain", providing a simpler alternative.

can be identified

Focuses on recognizing or pointing something out specifically.

it can be figured out

Informal expression meaning to understand or solve something.

can be learned

Focuses on gaining knowledge or understanding.

it is able to be known

Emphasizes the capability of something being known.

FAQs

How to use "may be ascertained" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be ascertained" indicates that something can be discovered or determined through investigation. For example: "The cause of the problem "may be ascertained" through further analysis."

What can I say instead of "may be ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "can be determined", "can be established", or "can be found out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be ascertained" or "can be ascertained"?

Both "may be ascertained" and "can be ascertained" are grammatically correct, but "may" implies a possibility, while "can" suggests an ability or capability. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "may be ascertained" and "may be determined"?

While both are similar, "ascertained" implies a more careful or systematic effort to find something out, whereas "determined" can refer to a broader range of discovery methods.