1
Core action
Find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
Example
Investigators could not ascertain the cause of the failure.
ascertain
/ˌæsəˈteɪn/ · as-ur-TAYNverb
Find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
Use ascertain to express this relationship precisely: find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
What ascertain Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Carbon dating helped ascertain the manuscript's age.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The survey sought to ascertain whether the pattern was widespread.
Use ascertain Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Investigators could not ascertain the cause of the failure.
Carbon dating helped ascertain the manuscript's age.
The survey sought to ascertain whether the pattern was widespread.
Precision Matters
Ascertain overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
ascertain
vs.Means find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
assume
Means accept or suppose that something is true without proof, often as a basis for reasoning.
ascertain
vs.Means find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
allege
Means claim or declare that something is true, typically without yet providing proof.
ascertain
vs.Means find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
imply
Means suggest, indicate, or communicate something indirectly without stating it explicitly.
ascertain
vs.Means find out or establish a fact with certainty through investigation, observation, or evidence.
corroborate
Means confirm or support a statement with additional evidence.
Test ascertain in Context
They investigate evidence in order to establish the fact with certainty.
1
To ___ whether the signature was genuine, analysts compared it with verified letters.