WordValeascertain
to find out for certain
In more detail
1. (verb) to find out or discover something by investigation or questioning
2. (verb) to make sure or confirm that something is true or correct
Examples
- 1. The police worked to ascertain the identity of the suspect.
- 2. Before signing the contract, she wanted to ascertain that all the terms were fair.
How to use ascertain
Ascertain is a somewhat formal verb used when you need to find out something through careful investigation, questioning, or checking, often in legal, academic, or professional contexts. It implies deliberate effort to verify or establish facts, rather than casual discovery. It is less common in everyday speech than synonyms like 'find out' or 'confirm'.
Common phrases
- ascertain the facts
- ascertain the truth
- ascertain whether
- ascertain from someone
- endeavor to ascertain
Synonyms
determine · establish · verify · confirm · discover
Word family
ascertainable · ascertainment
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use ascertain with an infinitive (e.g., 'ascertain to find') when it should be followed by a noun, clause, or 'whether/if'; for example, use 'ascertain the cause' not 'ascertain to discover the cause'.
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