not ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has not been determined or established. Example: "The cause of the incident remains not ascertained, leading to further investigations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

REINECKE: No, such facts were not ascertained.

Yale University

One, markers were not ascertained for ancestry informativeness.

Nature

Researchers have not ascertained if human genes entered the Neanderthal population.

The New York Times - Science

Officially, the cause of the fire will be listed as "not ascertained," a relatively rare determination.

The New York Times

During supervision we explored why Anne had not ascertained what the daughter knew about her mother's situation or what support she may need in her own right.

The Guardian

"We have not ascertained whether the assertions are true," he told the Windy City Times in the interview.

The Guardian

Quantum dots (QDs) are utilised in imaging diagnostics, tissue engineering and medical therapeutics, however, their influence on vascular function is not ascertained.

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine

At first, investigators thought the origin was suspicious, but on Tuesday Chief Fire Marshal Louis Garcia said demolition workers might have been using acetylene torches, and the cause was listed as "not ascertained" after a lengthy investigation, Mr. Garcia said.

The New York Times

He asked why Pistorius had not ascertained Steenkamp's wherabouts, why he had not verified who was in the toilet and why Steenkamp did not scream back from the toilet, among other questions.

The Guardian

"A lot of that income – an increasing share of it, in fact – is not ascertained in the I.R.S. statistics that Piketty-Saez use to measure income.

The New York Times

However, greater scrutiny revealed that its size (roughly 2.4 times larger) posed problems for scientists who have not ascertained whether it is rocky or gaseous.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not ascertained" when you want to indicate that something has not been definitively determined or established through investigation or analysis. It is particularly useful in formal reports, scientific papers, and legal documents.

Common error

While "not ascertained" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not known" or "uncertain" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not ascertained" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something has not been established or determined. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in formal contexts to describe causes, relationships, or facts that are yet to be discovered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not ascertained" is a grammatically correct and usable expression signifying that something has not been definitively determined or established. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples primarily from science, news media, and academic sources. While acceptable and common in formal and technical writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal contexts. Remember that while sources for this phrase are varied and authoritative, as with most formalized expressions, contexts for this phrase are more likely to be professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not determined

This phrase is a direct synonym, focusing on the lack of a final decision or conclusion.

not established

This alternative suggests that something hasn't been proven or validated.

not confirmed

Similar to 'not ascertained', but emphasizing a lack of verification.

not verified

Focuses on the absence of proof or validation for something.

not known

Indicates that information is currently unavailable or unrevealed.

not identified

Highlights the lack of recognition or detection of something.

not established

Implies a lack of foundation or proof.

remains unclear

Indicates that the situation or information is still vague or uncertain.

unconfirmed

A slightly shorter and more direct way of saying 'not confirmed'.

uncertain

This word is broader, encompassing any kind of doubt or lack of sureness.

FAQs

How can I use "not ascertained" in a sentence?

You can use "not ascertained" to indicate that something has not been definitely determined. For example: "The cause of the fire was "not ascertained" after a lengthy investigation."

What can I say instead of "not ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "not determined", "not established", or "not known" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not ascertained" or "unascertained"?

"Not ascertained" is the more common and accepted form. "Unascertained" exists, but it's less frequently used. The phrase ""not ascertained"" provides clarity and avoids potential ambiguity.

What's the difference between "not ascertained" and "not verified"?

"Not ascertained" means something hasn't been definitely determined or established, implying an investigation might be needed. "Not verified" means something hasn't been proven true or accurate, implying a check or confirmation is lacking.