to ascertain how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to ascertain how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the intention of finding out or determining the method or manner of something. Example: "The researchers aimed to ascertain how the new treatment affected patient recovery times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How might I be perceived?" And use supervision to ascertain how others perceive you.

The Guardian

But no records were produced to ascertain how diligently he attended his weekly sessions.

The New York Times - Sports

It was still possible, she announced, to ascertain how the 21 victims had met their deaths.

The Guardian - Opinion

These groups were independently trying to ascertain how proteins called TAL effectors recognize DNA.

Nature

It is difficult to ascertain how many people are dead or have been rescued.

The New York Times

Try to ascertain how the residents who live there feel about it.

The New York Times

Extensive experiments were conducted to ascertain how AOCFS works in FS tasks.

Expert Systems with Applications

More research is needed to ascertain how these interventions assert their influence.

Child Abuse & Neglect

Nevertheless, contemporary Muslims are engaged in interpreting their tradition to ascertain how and when nuclear power may be used.

The New York Times - Magazine

The reluctance of the manufacturer Roche to release all the trial data has made it difficult to ascertain how limited.

The Guardian

A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to ascertain how midwives achieve these low rates, in these countries and settings.

Midwifery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to ascertain how", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being investigated and why the determination of method is important. This adds clarity and purpose to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to ascertain how" in situations where simpler alternatives like "to find out how" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to ascertain how" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a clause expressing the purpose of determining or discovering the manner or method in which something occurs. Ludwig AI states that the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to ascertain how" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates an intent to determine the method or manner in which something occurs. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is valid in written English. While versatile, it is more suited to formal contexts such as scientific research, news reporting, or professional communications, where a detailed or systematic investigation is implied. Simpler alternatives exist for more casual usage. The phrase is most prevalent in the science and news domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to determine the way

This alternative places emphasis on the specific method or course of action.

to understand the process

This phrase highlights the goal of comprehending the entire sequence of actions.

to find out how

This is a more direct and simple way of expressing the intent to discover information about a process.

to analyze the manner

This suggests a detailed examination of how something is done.

to figure out how

This option is more informal, suggesting a problem-solving approach to understanding a process.

to discover the technique

This alternative focuses on uncovering a specific skill or method used to achieve a result.

to investigate the method

This phrase focuses on a formal and systematic examination of a particular approach.

to learn the procedure

This option emphasizes acquiring knowledge of a specific set of steps or actions.

to reveal the mechanism

This phrase emphasizes the unveiling of the underlying system or process.

to explore the means

This alternative suggests a more open-ended and exploratory approach to understanding a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "to ascertain how" when you want to express the intention of discovering the method or process by which something occurs. For example, "Researchers are conducting studies to ascertain how the new drug affects the body".

What are some alternatives to "to ascertain how"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to determine how", "to find out how", or "to investigate how", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "to ascertain how" formal or informal?

"To ascertain how" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or technical writing. Simpler phrases are preferred in informal contexts.

What is the difference between "to ascertain how" and "to determine how"?

While similar, "to ascertain how" often implies a more thorough and systematic investigation than "to determine how". "To ascertain" suggests a careful and deliberate effort to establish facts.