needs to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone must find out or determine information or facts about something. Example: "The manager needs to ascertain the reasons for the decline in sales before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Collins said that before she would support Rice for secretary of state, she needs to ascertain what was really going on.

The New York Times

The Philippines had better preserve peaceful relationship with China in a regional context but it needs to ascertain its usefulness to the US in the formation of an asymmetric alliance.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Future research with longer training and bigger sample sizes needs to ascertain how long lasting these effects are and who is benefitting from compassion training.

Plosone

A future clinical study including blinded assessments of stimulation effects on all Parkinsonian symptoms needs to ascertain this concept.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

Further research needs to ascertain the mechanisms by which telehealth interventions may be potentially beneficial or harmful for engagement and management to people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

BMC Psychiatry

Similarly, those nurses with and without a job description were compared on their reported training needs, to ascertain whether a formal job specification enabled greater insight and recognition of where skill deficits lay.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We need to ascertain what's happening in our schools, what's the state of sports infrastructure in Soweto.

The Guardian - Sport

"With the two dramatically different accounts of what happened, it stands to reason that there is a need to ascertain what really happened," he added.

The Guardian

However, further validation is needed to ascertain the model's performance in long-term simulations.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

In the absence of an objective standard, proficiency certificates were needed to ascertain graduates' English ability.

Language Testing in Asia

More rescue research is needed to ascertain the core role of OS.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs to ascertain" in formal writing when you want to emphasize a careful and thorough investigation to establish facts.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to ascertain" in informal contexts; simpler phrases like "needs to check" or "needs to find out" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to ascertain" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating a necessary action. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing the requirement to discover or establish something definitively. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and formally appropriate expression signifying the necessity of establishing facts or verifying information. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it holds a valuable place in formal and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, particularly within scientific and news contexts, highlighting its role in emphasizing thorough investigation and reliable data collection. It is crucial to use it in contexts where precision and clarity are paramount, while simpler phrases are more fitting for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must determine

More direct and emphasizes obligation.

should investigate

Focuses on a systematic inquiry.

ought to establish

Implies a moral or logical duty to confirm something.

have to verify

Stresses the need to prove the truth or accuracy of something.

are required to confirm

Highlights the mandatory nature of confirming something.

are compelled to validate

Emphasizes a forceful obligation to validate information.

need to check

More informal and suggests a quick review.

aim to discover

Highlights the goal of finding something previously unknown.

want to learn

Shifts the focus to the desire to gain knowledge.

try to figure out

Informal, implying an attempt to solve a puzzle or mystery.

FAQs

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

Use "needs to ascertain" to indicate the necessity of discovering or establishing something, as in, "The investigator "needs to ascertain" the facts before drawing conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "needs to ascertain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "needs to determine", "must find out", or "should investigate", depending on the context.

Is "needs to ascertain" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "needs to ascertain" is best suited for formal or professional writing. In more casual settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "needs to ascertain" and "wants to know"?

"Needs to ascertain" implies a requirement to establish facts, while "wants to know" simply expresses a desire for information. The former suggests a more formal and crucial need for verification.