to be ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be ascertain" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "to be ascertained"? If this is the case, you can use it when discussing the process of determining or finding out information. Example: "The results of the experiment need to be ascertained before we can draw any conclusions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the development of a new drug entity, potential interactions of the compound with the cytochrome P450 superfamily metabolizing enzymes need to be ascertain.

Phytomedicine

Whether this is a reflection of the composition of the underlying alloy is difficult to be ascertain, but given that four samples were taken from YLS1 this appears highly likely.

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The cause of the haemorrhage remains to be ascertained.

The Guardian

The full truth was to be ascertained by bitter experience, after spending a year on the spot.

The Guardian

The cause of death has yet to be ascertained, he added.

Independent

However, whatever the reality is for British people hoping to live abroad, it is not likely to be ascertained until the terms around Britain's exit are finalised.

The Guardian - Money

Ben Whishaw, a more sensitive-seeming figure, has replaced Baron Cohen; the occupant of the director's chair is yet to be ascertained, as original pick Dexter Fletcher bailed in March.

The Guardian - Film

Lalrokhuma Pachuau, Karnataka's chief of police, told journalists that "the nature of the explosion is yet to be ascertained".

The New York Times

Whether the reasons for this are genetic, environmental or cultural is yet to be ascertained.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

To finalize the instrument's evaluation, the bMCU test's criterion validity had to be ascertained.

International Journal of STEM Education

However, the biological relevance of the metabolic alterations observed in this study remains to be ascertained.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, prefer alternatives like "determined", "established", or "confirmed" which are grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "ascertain" after "to be". Always use the past participle form, "ascertained". The incorrect form can make your writing seem unprofessional and unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be ascertain" functions as an infinitive phrase intended to express a state of needing to be found out or determined. However, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "to be ascertained". Ludwig AI confirms this error, highlighting the necessity of using the past participle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be ascertain" might appear in some contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "to be ascertained", indicating something that needs to be discovered or determined. Ludwig AI flags this as an error. More appropriate alternatives include "to be determined" or "to be established". The intended function is to express a need for investigation, usually in formal or scientific contexts. Always use the past participle "ascertained" for grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be determined

This alternative replaces "ascertain" with "determined", which carries a similar meaning of finding something out but is grammatically correct.

to be discovered

This alternative replaces "ascertain" with "discovered", focusing on the act of finding something previously unknown.

to be established

This alternative replaces "ascertain" with "established", emphasizing the act of proving or confirming something.

to be verified

This alternative focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

to be confirmed

This phrase highlights the need for confirmation or validation.

to be investigated

This alternative emphasizes a more in-depth examination or inquiry.

to be identified

This phrase focuses on recognizing or pointing out something specific.

to be clarified

This alternative emphasizes the need for making something clearer or more understandable.

to be learned

This alternative focuses on the process of gaining knowledge or understanding.

to be figured out

This phrase presents a more informal way of saying something needs to be understood or resolved.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "to be ascertain" or "to be ascertained"?

The correct form is "to be ascertained". "Ascertained" is the past participle of the verb "ascertain", which is required after the auxiliary verb "to be". The phrase "to be ascertain" is grammatically incorrect.

What does "to be ascertained" mean?

"To be ascertained" means something needs to be discovered, determined, or found out. It implies a process of investigation or inquiry to establish a fact or truth.

What can I use instead of "to be ascertain"?

Since "to be ascertain" is incorrect, you can use phrases like "to be determined", "to be established", or "to be confirmed" depending on the specific context. These alternatives are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.

Is "to be ascertain" ever correct?

No, "to be ascertain" is never grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is always "to be ascertained". Using "to be ascertain" will be perceived as a grammatical error.