try to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the effort to find out or determine something. Example: "I will try to ascertain the reason for the delay in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Victims are still being interviewed "to try to ascertain the number of shooters," she said.

The Washington Post

I directed the department to try to ascertain whether or not those complaints were legitimate.

The Washington Post

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

The New York Times

"We are working very closely with the South Africa authorities to try to ascertain more details".

Independent

When professional football scouts don't try to ascertain that potential recruits are straight.

The New York Times

We have shared meals and laughs as we try to ascertain what makes the small-scale dairy industry tick.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even when the documents are legitimate, arms manufacturers seldom try to ascertain whether their products end up in the country that issued the certificate.

The New Yorker

Without being defensive yourself, try to ascertain what the differences in sensation are for him between oral and manual as opposed to vaginal sex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We dream about getting cast on The Amazing Race and try to ascertain just how we would squabble with our loved one while trotting the globe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Try to ascertain during the tour if the plant's managers really do have priorities and have made decisions that reflect them.

Harvard Business Review

"We use our devices as test beds of physics, and try to ascertain what physical mechanisms dominate the nanoscale proceses within them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to ascertain" when you want to emphasize both the effort and the goal of finding something out, especially when the process involves investigation or careful consideration.

Common error

While "try to ascertain" is valid, avoid it in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "try to find out" or "try to figure out" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to ascertain" functions as a verb phrase indicating an attempt to find something out definitively. It suggests a process that requires careful investigation or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to ascertain" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an effort to discover or establish something, particularly through investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage across various contexts. While versatile, it's most suited for formal and neutral settings, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. For more casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "try to find out" might be more fitting. Remember, using "try to ascertain" highlights both the effort and the intention to arrive at a definite conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to determine

Focuses more on the attempt itself, rather than the process of finding out.

seek to establish

Emphasizes the goal of confirming or proving something.

endeavor to discover

Adds a sense of earnest effort and exploration.

make an effort to find out

A more straightforward and less formal alternative.

aim to uncover

Suggests revealing something previously hidden.

strive to learn

Highlights the continuous effort and desire to gain knowledge.

undertake to investigate

Implies a more formal and structured approach.

work towards confirming

Focuses on the active work and the objective of confirmation.

set out to discover

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey of discovery.

take steps to verify

Highlights the actions taken to ensure accuracy.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to ascertain" when you're expressing an effort to discover or establish something. For example, "Investigators will try to ascertain the cause of the accident."

What can I say instead of "try to ascertain"?

Alternatives include "attempt to determine", "seek to establish", or "make an effort to find out", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "try to ascertain" instead of "try to find out"?

No, "try to find out" is perfectly acceptable in many situations. "Try to ascertain" is more formal and suggests a more thorough or careful investigation.

What's the nuance between "try to ascertain" and "try to determine"?

"Try to determine" and "try to ascertain" are quite similar, but "try to ascertain" often implies a process of discovering something not immediately obvious, while "try to determine" might refer to making a decision or calculation.