they were ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or facts that have been confirmed or established. Example: "After thorough investigation, it was confirmed that they were ascertained to be the rightful owners of the property."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The latter were classified as "long-term" if they were ascertained at least 6 months after birth.

The Journal of Pediatrics

The SNPs that we genotyped across 126 populations reveal considerable information about the topology of the haplogroup tree, but they were ascertained in a biased manner, and they are too few in number to convey any meaningful branch-length information.

Nature

They were ascertained from 18 different hospitals between 1996 and 2003.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

They were ascertained in nine dogs from small and large breeds that were chosen to cover all major IGF1 haplotypes identified to that point.

BMC Biology

Finally we acknowledge that while our clinically ascertained subjects were not drawn from a cohort with a single diagnosis such as autism or schizophrenia, they were ascertained from a heterogeneously affected group in whom genetic testing was considered clinically relevant.

American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics

The authors of the meta-analysis are restricted to combining the fully adjusted hazard ratios or odds ratios presented in each included study without any control over what characteristics were adjusted for or how they were ascertained in each study.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The third difference between share holding and partnerships is that a partner is automatically entitled to a share of the profits of the firm as soon as they are ascertained, but a shareholder is entitled to a dividend out of the company's profits only when it has been declared.

Britannica

However, this is not valid since they are ascertained differently, the controls being a sample from the whole population and the cases from the diseased subset.

Genetic Epidemiology

Also, the drug they are ascertaining that Don is in possession of is unusable in a soap base.

Vice

As our data on menarcheal ages were ascertained retrospectively, they could be subject to recall bias.

British Journal of Cancer

Since some subjects were ascertained because they were from multiple-case CRC families, and CRC cases were preferentially tested for MMR gene mutations, the selection of subjects was not random with respect to disease status.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were ascertained" in formal writing when you want to emphasize that information has been rigorously checked and confirmed. It is particularly useful in scientific, academic, or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they were ascertained" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "they were found" or "it was learned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were ascertained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) received the action of being ascertained. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically sound. This structure emphasizes that the facts or details have been established or confirmed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were ascertained" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that certain facts or details have been formally established or confirmed. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic writing, lending an air of authority and precision. While accurate and useful in those contexts, it should be used sparingly in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase is uncommon, so be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing to use "they were ascertained".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were determined

Replaces "ascertained" with a more direct synonym, implying a decision or conclusion.

they were confirmed

Highlights the validation of something previously uncertain.

they were established

Focuses on the act of setting something up or proving it to be true.

they were verified

Emphasizes the confirmation of accuracy or truth.

they were found

A simpler alternative indicating something was located or revealed.

they were identified

Focuses on recognizing or discovering something specific.

they were discovered

Emphasizes the finding of something previously unknown or hidden.

they were learned

Suggests that information about them became known.

their identification was made

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the act of identification.

they were unearthed

Implies a thorough search or investigation leading to their revelation.

FAQs

How can I use "they were ascertained" in a sentence?

"They were ascertained" is used to indicate that something has been definitively determined or confirmed. For example, "The facts of the case "they were ascertained" after a thorough investigation".

What are some alternatives to "they were ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "they were determined", "they were confirmed", or "they were verified" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "they were ascertained" versus simpler alternatives?

Use "they were ascertained" in formal or technical contexts where precise confirmation is important. In more casual settings, simpler phrases like "they were found" or "it was learned" may be more appropriate.

Is "they were ascertained" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were ascertained" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice, indicating that "they" (some facts, individuals, or items) were the object of the action of ascertaining. The active version would be something like "Someone ascertained them".