to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

'to ascertain' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to find out or determine something, usually through research or investigation. You could use it in a sentence like this: They conducted a survey to ascertain how many people were affected by the recent flooding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

score difficult to ascertain.

The New Yorker

The answers are not easy to ascertain.

The New York Times

This number is harder to ascertain.

The Washington Post

None that we've been able to ascertain.

The Washington Post

Occasionally, Emil made phone calls to ascertain the progress.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

We are conducting DNA to ascertain whether it's the one".

The Guardian

Guardian Australia has been unable to ascertain their current whereabouts.

The Guardian

But what truth was there left to ascertain?

The New Yorker

Even the smallest details seemed hard to ascertain.

The New York Times

To ascertain this, we conducted three sets of experiments.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to ascertain" when you need to emphasize the effort involved in discovering something, suggesting a careful and thorough investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "to ascertain" in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "to find out" or "to check" would be more appropriate. "To ascertain" can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to ascertain" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase indicating purpose or intent. It's used to express the aim of discovering something definitively, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples where actions are taken with the goal of finding something out. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to ascertain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that signifies the intent to find something out definitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. When aiming for less formal communication, consider alternatives like "to find out" or "to check". While "to ascertain" is widely used, be mindful of its formality to ensure it aligns with your intended audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine

Implies a more definitive and conclusive finding than "to ascertain".

to find out

Less formal and more general than "to ascertain", suitable for everyday conversation.

to discover

Suggests uncovering something previously unknown, whereas "to ascertain" focuses on confirming something uncertain.

to establish

Emphasizes the act of setting something firmly in place, whereas "to ascertain" is about confirming its existence or nature.

to verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, a more specific aim than "to ascertain".

to confirm

Implies reinforcing or validating something, while "to ascertain" is about the initial finding.

to learn

A broader term for gaining knowledge, whereas "to ascertain" implies a more deliberate investigation.

to investigate

Focuses on a detailed examination, which is a method used to "to ascertain" something.

to check

A simpler action aimed at confirming or verifying something quickly, compared to the more thorough "to ascertain".

to ensure

Implies making certain that something will happen or is the case, going beyond just finding out information as "to ascertain" does.

FAQs

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

You can use "to ascertain" to indicate the act of finding something out for certain. For example, "The detective needed to ascertain the facts before making an arrest."

What are some synonyms for "to ascertain"?

Synonyms for "to ascertain" include "to determine", "to find out", "to discover", and "to establish". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to ascertain" instead of "to find out"?

"To ascertain" is more appropriate in formal writing or when emphasizing the effort or thoroughness of the investigation. "To find out" is suitable for everyday language.

Is "to ascertain" a formal expression?

Yes, "to ascertain" is considered a more formal expression. In casual conversation, alternatives like "to check" or "to see" may be more appropriate.