should be ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something needs to be determined or established with certainty. Example: "The exact cause of the issue should be ascertained before proceeding with any repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

We also think that the contents of the hat box should be ascertained.

The New Yorker

Ideally, family history data should be ascertained, documented, and analyzed in a standardized manner.

Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health

The specific type of sleep problem should be ascertained so that appropriate interventions can be prescribed.

Sleep Medicine Reviews

The comfort and ease of women themselves should be ascertained rather than prescribed by government.

Independent

Thus, the zygosity status of BRCA1-methylated cell lines should be ascertained and re-confirmed regularly in studies where the HR status is critical.

Nature

Utilitarianism is a normative-ethical theory that holds that the moral rightness or wrongness of an action should be ascertained in terms of the action's consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The impact of domestic hosts on human disease emergence should therefore be ascertained.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

Before taking clairvoyants seriously, "the motive of the individual should always be ascertained, especially where financial gain is included".

Independent

Seismic safety of a structure should therefore be ascertained through a damage analysis using the anticipated main shock and few larger-aftershock motions.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Although a significant improvement in perinatal outcome was shown after the Solomon technique, the clinical importance should also be ascertained with long-term follow-up evaluation of the surviving children.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Although minor adaptations of the computer-based test were expected, construct equivalence should nevertheless be ascertained with the aid of a detailed curricula analysis.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "should be ascertained" when you need to emphasize that determining something is a necessary step before further action can be taken.

Common error

Avoid using "should be ascertained" in casual conversations or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "should be checked" or "should be found out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be ascertained" functions as a passive construction indicating a required action of finding something out definitively. It is often used in formal contexts where clarity and certainty are crucial. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be ascertained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the need to determine something definitively, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations where precision and certainty are paramount. Simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal communication. Given its authoritative and technical tone, the phrase is a valuable tool for expressing the necessity of verification and confirmation in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be determined

Focuses on the process of finding out something, similar to ascertaining but slightly broader.

should be established

Emphasizes the need to set something up or prove it definitively.

should be verified

Highlights the importance of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

should be confirmed

Similar to verified, but implies a stronger level of proof or agreement.

should be identified

Focuses on recognizing or discovering something specific.

needs to be found out

More informal way of expressing the need for discovery.

must be investigated

Stresses the necessity of a thorough examination.

ought to be learned

Implies a moral or logical obligation to find something out.

has to be clarified

Emphasizes the need to make something clear and understandable.

should be figured out

An informal expression for resolving a problem or mystery.

FAQs

How can I use "should be ascertained" in a sentence?

The phrase "should be ascertained" is typically used to indicate that something needs to be determined or established definitively before proceeding. For example, "The root cause of the error "should be ascertained" before attempting any fixes."

What are some alternatives to "should be ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "should be determined", "should be established", or "should be verified" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "should be ascertained" formal or informal?

The phrase "should be ascertained" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "should be checked" or "needs to be found out" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "should be ascertained" and "should be assumed"?

"Should be ascertained" implies a need for verification and certainty, while "should be assumed" suggests accepting something as true without proof, often as a starting point for further reasoning.