were not ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not ascertained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where information or details have not been determined or confirmed. Example: "The exact reasons for the delay were not ascertained during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

However, significant differences in FABP7 levels by 21-day mortality were not ascertained after adjusting for significant covariates reflecting severity of illness (MELD, vasopressor dependence).

Annals of Intensive Care

However, significant differences in FABP7 levels by 21-day mortality were not ascertained after adjusting for significant covariates (reflecting severity of illness).

Annals of Intensive Care

Non-Anabaptist cases were previously enrolled on the basis of a diagnosis of bipolar I or schizoaffective bipolar disorder, and many were not ascertained in hospital settings (Potash et al. 2007).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Families were not ascertained based on any phenotype.

Plosone

A self-administered questionnaire was completed at enrollment for measurement of baseline characteristics, however interval behavioral data were not ascertained.

Plosone

To be consistent with notation used throughout this work, from this point forward we label the Taiwanese samples as "controls" and the Caucasian samples as "cases", although individuals in this study were not ascertained for any particular disease phenotype.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Even if we were not ascertaining actual behaviour, we can assume that activist young men were less likely to engage in IPV compared to ordinary young men.

Global Health Action

"A lot of that income – an increasing share of it, in fact – is not ascertained in the I.R.S. statistics that Piketty-Saez use to measure income.

The New York Times

These microorganisms are not established and hence the substrate they degrade and utilize is not ascertained.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

However, causal relation of headache aggravation after sumatriptan spray was not ascertained in that study.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However, its physiological significance for other photosynthesizing organisms, including higher plants, is not ascertained finally [11].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not ascertained" in formal writing when you want to emphasize that specific information was actively sought but not successfully obtained. This suggests a degree of investigation or effort was involved.

Common error

Avoid using "were not ascertained" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "weren't found" or "didn't know" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not ascertained" functions as a passive construction indicating that a specific piece of information or a fact was not successfully determined or discovered. The structure implies that an attempt was made to find or establish the information, but it remained unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

98%

News & Media

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not ascertained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and formal writing, to indicate that something could not be determined or discovered despite investigation. Ludwig AI supports its use. While common, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal contexts where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Its formal tone and specific meaning make it suitable for academic papers, research reports, and other documents requiring precise language. Alternatives such as "were not determined" or "were not identified" can be considered for clarity or brevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not determined

Focuses on the lack of a definitive decision or calculation.

were not established

Emphasizes the absence of confirmation or proof.

were not identified

Highlights the failure to recognize or detect something.

were not discovered

Implies an unsuccessful attempt to find or learn something.

were not found

Suggests a lack of physical or abstract location.

remained unknown

Highlights that the information never came to light.

were not investigated

Focuses on the absence of a formal inquiry or examination.

were not verified

Indicates that something was not validated or confirmed.

were not confirmed

Suggests a lack of support or validation for a statement or fact.

could not be established

Highlights the impossibility of proving or demonstrating something.

FAQs

What does "were not ascertained" mean?

The phrase "were not ascertained" means that something was not definitely determined, discovered, or confirmed. It often implies that some effort was made to find or establish the information, but it was unsuccessful.

When should I use "were not ascertained" in my writing?

Use "were not ascertained" in formal or scientific writing when you want to indicate that information was sought but not successfully obtained. It is appropriate when describing research findings or formal investigations.

What can I say instead of "were not ascertained"?

You can use alternatives like "were not determined", "were not established", or "were not identified" depending on the specific context. These phrases convey a similar meaning while potentially being more accessible to a broader audience.

Is "were not ascertained" the same as "were not assessed"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of information, "were not ascertained" implies a failure to find or establish something after an attempt to do so, while "were not assessed" suggests that something was not evaluated or examined in the first place. The phrases are not interchangeable.