strive to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the effort to find out or determine something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "In our research, we strive to ascertain the underlying causes of the phenomenon we are studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The New Yorker, October 21, 1950 P. 109 No longer strive to ascertain View Article Trump's Lawyers Argue That He Cannot Be Impeached Because He Was Never Actually Elected What Happens When a Bad-Tempered, Distractible Doofus Runs an Empire?

The New Yorker

Moreover, this paper serves as a call for management educators in Vietnam to strive to ascertain how a Western phenomenon, such as CSR, is relevant, applicable, and conceptualized within the context of Vietnamese management.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Midwives strive to find individual solutions to encourage physical activity.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

score difficult to ascertain.

The New Yorker

The answers are not easy to ascertain.

The New York Times

We will continue to speak to the victims to ascertain what this ascertained.

The Guardian

Occasionally, Emil made phone calls to ascertain the progress.

The New Yorker

But what truth was there left to ascertain?

The New Yorker

That's what the investigation is attempting to ascertain".

The Guardian

Guardian Australia has been unable to ascertain their current whereabouts.

The Guardian

Even the smallest details seemed hard to ascertain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to ascertain" in formal writing when you want to convey a determined effort to find out or establish something, particularly when precision and accuracy are important.

Common error

Avoid using "strive to ascertain" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or pretentious in everyday contexts; simpler alternatives like "try to find out" or "try to learn" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to ascertain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically modifies a verb, indicating the goal or intention behind an action. The phrase indicates a deliberate and earnest attempt to establish something as true.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strive to ascertain" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express a formal and determined effort to discover or establish something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is relatively rare in occurrence and predominantly found in news and media, and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, it is crucial to reserve this phrase for formal or professional writing to avoid sounding overly stilted in casual conversation. When a more direct or informal tone is appropriate, alternatives such as "try to find out" or "seek to learn" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to determine

Uses "endeavor" instead of "strive", implying a serious attempt, and "determine" instead of "ascertain", focusing on reaching a definite conclusion.

seek to establish

Emphasizes the act of proving or validating something rather than simply finding it out.

try to discover

A more general and less formal alternative, suitable for broader contexts where the emphasis is on uncovering new information.

attempt to find out

Replaces both "strive" and "ascertain" with simpler, more common words, making it less formal.

aim to identify

Focuses on recognizing or distinguishing a specific element or characteristic.

work towards uncovering

Implies a more active and potentially challenging process of revealing something hidden.

make an effort to learn

A broader phrase that encompasses the general act of gaining knowledge.

set out to investigate

Suggests a more structured and methodical approach to finding information.

strive to learn

Similar in construction, but more general, replacing "ascertain" with "learn".

seek to understand

Focuses more on achieving comprehension than on simply determining a fact.

FAQs

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

You can use "strive to ascertain" to express a determined effort to discover something. For example, "Scientists "strive to ascertain" the causes of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "strive to ascertain"?

Alternatives include "endeavor to determine", "seek to establish", or "attempt to find out", depending on the level of formality and nuance you want to convey.

Is "strive to ascertain" appropriate for informal writing?

No, "strive to ascertain" is generally too formal for informal writing. Simpler phrases like "try to find out" or "seek to learn" are better suited for casual contexts.

What is the difference between "strive to ascertain" and "try to ascertain"?

"Strive to ascertain" implies a more determined and diligent effort compared to the milder "try to ascertain". The former suggests a greater commitment to achieving accuracy and certainty.