unable to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

"unable to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that you cannot find out something or cannot determine something. For example, "We were unable to ascertain the cause of the failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Guardian Australia has been unable to ascertain their current whereabouts.

The Guardian

Unfortunately FS was unable to ascertain whether she is being sponsored by L'Oreal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the past three years, Bangladesh has been unable to ascertain the force behind these executions.

The New Yorker

The home inspector, however, was unable to ascertain that the foundation was solid.

The New York Times

He also said they would be unable to ascertain exactly whose device the website had come from.

The Guardian - Sport

Altec says achieves the sound through its "balanced armature," although I have been unable to ascertain what that means, exactly.

The New York Times

Dr. Kessler and the three international experts who also contributed to the report were unable to ascertain the extent to which this industry campaign is still being waged.

The New York Times

So severe were the head injuries of both victims that police were unable to ascertain what kind of weapon had been used to kill them.

The Guardian

But despite repeated requests for information, it said, "we have been unable to ascertain how the I.R.A. will put its arms beyond use".

The New York Times

I interviewed him several times but was unable to ascertain whether he ever got over his astonishment that council tower blocks did not have lift attendants.

Independent

Unfortunately, we have been unable to ascertain this.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unable to ascertain" when you want to express a formal inability to find something out or establish something with certainty. For example: "Due to limited data, researchers were "unable to ascertain" the long-term effects of the treatment."

Common error

Avoid using "unable to ascertain" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "couldn't find out" or "can't be sure" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to ascertain" functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of ability to establish something definitively. It is commonly used to express an inability to find out or determine a specific fact or piece of information. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to ascertain" is a formal expression used to indicate an inability to determine or discover something with certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts, reflecting its suitability for professional and academic discourse. While grammatically sound, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase when communicating a formal lack of knowledge or when definitive conclusions cannot be reached due to limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to determine

Replaces "ascertain" with "determine", offering a slightly more common synonym.

unable to discover

Substitutes "ascertain" with "discover", focusing on the lack of finding something out.

impossible to establish

Emphasizes the impossibility of confirming or proving something.

impossible to verify

Highlights the inability to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

cannot confirm

Highlights the inability to validate information.

cannot be sure

Offers a more concise and informal way of expressing uncertainty.

cannot find out

Focuses on the lack of information available.

unable to identify

Highlights the inability to recognize or pinpoint something specific.

remaining uncertain

Emphasizes the continued state of doubt.

difficult to discern

Indicates that distinguishing or understanding something is challenging.

FAQs

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

Use "unable to ascertain" to indicate a formal inability to determine or discover something. For instance: "The investigators were "unable to ascertain" the cause of the accident due to insufficient evidence."

What are some alternatives to "unable to ascertain"?

Alternatives include "unable to determine", "cannot confirm", or "impossible to establish". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and level of formality required.

Is it better to say "unable to ascertain" or "unable to determine"?

"Unable to ascertain" and "unable to determine" are similar, but "unable to ascertain" is generally considered more formal. Use "unable to ascertain" when a high degree of formality is required.

When is it inappropriate to use "unable to ascertain"?

It might be inappropriate to use "unable to ascertain" in casual conversation or informal writing. In such contexts, simpler phrases like "couldn't find out" or "can't be sure" are often more suitable.