trying to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are attempting to find out or determine information or facts about something. Example: "The detective is trying to ascertain the motive behind the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The researchers were trying to ascertain why certain antibiotics work the way they do.

Cornell University

"I am trying to ascertain whether $150,000 is what is needed," Mr. Jennings said.

The New York Times

I am trying to ascertain if it is fact or fiction.

Cornell University

A very friendly chap was trying to ascertain which covers we had purchased.

The Guardian - Money

"Everyone is just trying to ascertain exactly what's happened," he said.

The Guardian

Swiftair said the company was trying to ascertain what had happened.

The Guardian

A spokesman said the regulator was trying to ascertain the number of UK passengers affected.

The Guardian - Business

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

Nature

It must not be distracted by trying to ascertain whether Vunipola is inherently homophobic.

The Guardian - Sport

"At this time, we're still trying to ascertain what the facts and accusations are," Greenfield said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or they might be trying to ascertain how much suffering the plaintiff had experienced as a way to gauge the monetary compensation being sought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "attempting to determine" instead of "trying to ascertain" to convey a more professional tone.

Common error

While "trying to ascertain" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "trying to find out" or "trying to figure out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to ascertain" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express an ongoing attempt to find something out. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to ascertain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of actively seeking information or establishing facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Its usage spans various contexts, but it is most prevalent in news, academic and scientific domains. While generally neutral in tone, "attempting to determine" presents a more formal alternative. Be mindful of your audience and context: simpler phrases may be more suitable for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to determine

Replaces "trying" with a more formal synonym, slightly increasing the formality.

seeking to establish

Emphasizes the goal of firmly establishing something, shifting the focus from the process to the outcome.

working to discover

Highlights the effort involved in the process of finding something out.

investigating to confirm

Suggests a more formal and thorough examination to validate a fact.

endeavoring to find out

Adds a sense of effort and purpose in the act of discovering.

aiming to uncover

Implies revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

looking to verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

exploring to understand

Indicates a broader, less targeted approach to gaining knowledge.

researching to identify

Suggests a systematic study to pinpoint specific elements or aspects.

probing to reveal

Conveys a more intrusive or detailed examination to uncover hidden information.

FAQs

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

You can use "trying to ascertain" when you want to express an attempt to discover or establish something with certainty. For example, "The detective is trying to ascertain the facts of the case".

What's a more formal alternative to "trying to ascertain"?

A more formal alternative to "trying to ascertain" is "attempting to determine". This conveys a similar meaning but is suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it always appropriate to use "trying to ascertain"?

While grammatically correct, "trying to ascertain" might sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "trying to find out" or "trying to figure out" in informal settings.

What's the difference between "trying to ascertain" and "trying to assume"?

"Trying to ascertain" implies an active effort to discover facts, while "trying to assume" suggests making a presumption without concrete evidence. Ascertaining involves investigation, while assuming involves supposition.