wanting to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanting to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire to find out or determine something specific. Example: "I am wanting to ascertain the reasons behind the sudden change in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition investigators want to ascertain whether assets pledged as collateral were manipulated.

The Guardian - Business

But with only a month before the playoffs start, Manager Joe Torre wants to ascertain whether he can trust Witasick.

The New York Times - Sports

We want to ascertain to what extent environmental factors control primary colonization, establishment and early dynamics of vegetation on dry Mediterranean roadcuts.

Ecological Engineering

Second, we wanted to ascertain which AeroDose-delivered tobramycin dose is equivalent to the standard 300-mg dose administered with the PARI LC PLUS.

Chest

There are many instances in which owners and potential buyers of these enterprises want to ascertain the value of the businesses.

Journal of the American College of Radiology

The truth is that most people really do not want to ascertain just how much more they can suffer.

The New York Times

"He wants to ascertain just how many British citizens are fighting out there for the so-called Free Syrian Army and other elements opposed to Assad.

The Guardian

But reports suggest the Dons owner Pete Winkelman wants to ascertain Giggs's availability before making any decisions on his next manager.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a questionnaire, and basically what the club want to ascertain is do the fans think now is the right time to be stop using this identity.

The Guardian - Sport

"But we take everything seriously these days, and we wanted to ascertain where this information came from, so the schools could help us with that".

The New York Times

Although the Labour group accepts that the relationship with Capita has delivered financial savings, it wants to ascertain whether the relationship has also delivered service improvements.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "wanting to ascertain" with stronger action verbs, like "investigate" or "determine", to make your writing sound more active and direct.

Common error

"Wanting to ascertain" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "want to find out" or "want to know" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanting to ascertain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates a desire or intention to discover or establish something definitively. It's commonly found in contexts where confirmation or verification is needed.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanting to ascertain" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a desire to discover or confirm something, and is best suited for formal contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to add a level of sophistication to writing. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to determine

Replaces "wanting" with "seeking", which implies a deliberate effort to find something out.

aiming to discover

Substitutes "ascertain" with "discover", suggesting a more exploratory approach.

intending to establish

Uses "establish" instead of "ascertain", emphasizing the goal of confirming something firmly.

desiring to find out

Replaces "ascertain" with the simpler phrase "find out", making it less formal.

wishing to confirm

Emphasizes the desire to verify or validate information.

looking to verify

Similar to wishing to confirm, focuses on the verification aspect.

planning to investigate

Suggests a more in-depth examination of the subject.

hoping to learn

Highlights the expectation of gaining new knowledge.

eager to uncover

Implies enthusiasm in revealing hidden information.

proposing to analyze

Highlights the intent to perform a detailed analysis to determine the facts.

FAQs

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

You can use "wanting to ascertain" when you wish to express a desire to discover something specific. For instance, "I am wanting to ascertain the causes of the recent policy change."

What are some alternatives to "wanting to ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking to determine", "aiming to discover", or "intending to establish" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "wanting to ascertain" or "want to find out"?

"Wanting to ascertain" is more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing. "Want to find out" is more casual and appropriate for informal conversations.

What's the difference between "wanting to ascertain" and "investigating"?

"Wanting to ascertain" implies a desire to confirm something, while "investigating" suggests a more in-depth examination to uncover new information.