we must ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we must ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the need to find out or determine something with certainty. Example: "Before making any decisions, we must ascertain the facts surrounding the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We must ascertain, to the best of our ability, that the facts presented in the piece are, in fact, facts.

The New York Times

To decide whether an individual's liberty ought to be protected, we must ascertain to which category the potential restriction of liberty belongs: offense, moralism, paternalism, and harm prevention.

SEP

To determine the option values on the loan portfolio, the output of our conceptual framework, we must ascertain the expressions for the put and call options.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

We must ascertain his identity forthwith!" Holmes seemed jittery as he continued in this vein.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They must ascertain whether his claims have any substance by conducting an investigation into this too".

The Guardian - Sport

But the hurdle must be high: the F.C.C. and the Department of Justice must ascertain that the arrangement does not reduce competition any further.

The New York Times

Basically, the physician had three places on each wrist at which he must ascertain the quality and quantity of the pulse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The court must ascertain whether Dutroux and his co-defendants worked alone, said the paper, or whether they were part of a larger paedophile network involving "people in high places", a view held by the majority of Belgians.

The Guardian

"[The task force] must ascertain if organisational faults contributed to the cause of deaths and if all the procedures to guarantee the quality and safety of care were respected," the health ministry said in a statement.

The Guardian

He must ascertain which "Gates" is authentic and stay a step ahead of Liana (Lena Olin), who cuts a striking figure in black; she was born to be a widow.

The New York Times

Any real diplomacy with Iran must ascertain American support for Israel's secured existence, such as a clear understanding that any attack on Israel will bring an American response.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must ascertain", ensure that the context clearly indicates a need for accurate and thorough investigation or determination of facts. Avoid using it in casual conversation where a simpler phrase would suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "we must ascertain" in informal contexts. Using such a formal phrase in casual conversation can sound unnatural or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we need to find out" or "we should check".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must ascertain" functions as a directive, indicating a necessary action to be taken. The modal verb must emphasizes the obligation, while ascertain specifies the action of finding something out for certain. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we must ascertain" is a grammatically sound and usable expression. It is most suitable for formal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, where thorough investigation and accurate determination of facts are required. While relatively rare, the phrase effectively conveys the necessity of finding something out with certainty before making important decisions or taking action. While primarily found in "News & Media", "Science" and "Encyclopedias", its formal tone should be considered when choosing it over simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we need to determine

Emphasizes a need for a decision or conclusion.

we have to establish

Highlights the necessity of setting something up as a foundation.

it is imperative that we find out

Stresses the critical importance of discovering information.

we should confirm

Suggests a need to verify or validate something.

we are obliged to verify

Indicates a duty or requirement to check something.

we are required to investigate

Highlights the need for a formal inquiry.

we ought to check

Suggests a recommendation or advisability to inspect.

we should look into

Implies a need for casual exploration.

we have to probe

Focuses on deep and thorough investigation.

it is vital to establish

Underscores the essential nature of confirming details.

FAQs

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

Use "we must ascertain" to emphasize the importance of finding out or determining something with certainty. For example, "Before making any decisions, "we must ascertain" the facts surrounding the situation".

What are some alternatives to "we must ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "we need to determine", "we have to establish", or "we should confirm" depending on the context.

Is "we must ascertain" formal or informal?

"We must ascertain" is a formal phrase. It is best suited for professional, academic, or official contexts. In casual conversation, simpler phrases are more appropriate.

What is the difference between "we must ascertain" and "we should check"?

"We must ascertain" implies a thorough and formal investigation to establish facts with certainty, whereas "we should check" suggests a simpler, less rigorous verification process.