we could ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we could ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to find out or determine information through investigation or analysis. Example: "After conducting several tests, we could ascertain the cause of the malfunction in the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"To enable these features, we created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google's servers, so that we could ascertain whether Safari users were also signed into Google, and had opted for this type of personalisation.

The Guardian - Tech

As a result, we could ascertain the possibility of the mixed gas prepared from air as an oxidant.

Chemical Engineering Journal

To enable these features, we created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google's servers, so that we could ascertain whether Safari users were also signed into Google, and had opted for this type of personalization.

TechCrunch

She added: "To enable these features, we created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google's servers, so that we could ascertain whether Safari users were also signed into Google, and had opted for this type of personalisation".

BBC

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Vice

But the state laws were never changed back and as far as we could ascertain, no state ever went back and got refunds or removed the "incentives" that charged customers for these upgrades, nor investigated the major tax perks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

In fact we could neither ascertain nor rule out the use of contraceptives in the control group.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"We could not ascertain the speed of the bus at that time, but it was most certainly far higher than the recommended maximum speed for this terrain," he said.

The New York Times

Using monthly data, we found a good correlation between CAPE and rainfall; however, we could not ascertain the trend.

Earth, Planets and Space

Further, as the sample was modest, we could not ascertain which medications (as monotherapies or combinations) were more effective in combination with aripiprazole.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

We could not ascertain whether the metastases represented mucosal lesions if the patient had not undergone a routine health check-up.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "determine", "discover", or "establish" when "we could ascertain" feels too formal for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "we could ascertain" in very casual or informal contexts. It can sound overly academic or stilted in everyday conversation or less formal writing. Choose simpler, more direct phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could ascertain" functions as a declarative statement indicating the ability to discover or establish something as a result of investigation or analysis. As Ludwig AI shows, this is commonly used in research and reporting to express findings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we could ascertain" is a phrase used to express the ability to discover or establish something through investigation or analysis. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. While it is appropriate in a variety of settings, it's most frequently found in scientific research, news reports, and formal business communications. While highly useful, be mindful of the register of your writing and adjust the vocabulary to the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were able to determine

Changes the verb to 'determine', focusing on the act of finding something out definitively.

we managed to discover

Replaces 'ascertain' with 'discover', suggesting a successful finding after some effort.

we were in a position to confirm

Emphasizes the ability to verify or validate something based on available information.

we were capable of finding out

Uses 'find out' to convey the meaning of learning something, highlighting capability.

we had the opportunity to learn

Focuses on the chance to gain knowledge or understanding.

we were permitted to observe

Highlights the allowance or authorization to notice or perceive something.

we were authorized to investigate

Shifts the focus to the formal permission to explore or examine something systematically.

we were given the means to establish

Emphasizes the provision of resources or methods to prove or demonstrate something.

we were enabled to verify

Focuses on being equipped or empowered to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

we had the faculty to deduce

Highlights the inherent ability to infer or conclude something from evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "we could ascertain" in a sentence?

You can use "we could ascertain" to indicate that you were able to find something out through investigation or analysis. For instance, "After analyzing the data, we could ascertain the root cause of the problem."

What is a less formal alternative to "we could ascertain"?

If you want a less formal way to express the same idea, you could use phrases like "we could find out", "we could figure out", or "we could tell". These alternatives are more suitable for casual conversations and informal writing.

Is there a difference between "we could ascertain" and "we could assume"?

"We could ascertain" implies a conclusion based on evidence or investigation, whereas "we could assume" suggests a belief or supposition without concrete proof. Ascertaining is about finding out, while assuming is about guessing or presuming.

When is it appropriate to use "we could ascertain" instead of "we could determine"?

Both phrases are similar, but "we could ascertain" carries a slightly more formal tone and implies a more careful or methodical discovery process compared to "we could determine".