Ascertain
/ˌæsərˈteɪn/
verbB2
Definition
To ascertain something is to learn or discover the truth about it after careful thought, study, or investigation. It means you do not just guess but check to be sure about information or facts.
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See It in Action
To find out or learn something with certainty
- •The police tried to ascertain the cause of the accident.
- •Before making a decision, she ascertained all the facts.
- •We need to ascertain if the meeting is still on for tomorrow.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ascertain" like "find out," but more careful and sure, not just a quick guess.
- ✓Picture a detective looking closely at clues to be certain about what happened.
- ✓It's the feeling when you double-check your homework answers to make sure they are correct.
- ✓Sounds like "a certain" → imagine making sure something is "a certain" fact, not just a guess.
- ✓Think of a scientist doing an experiment to ascertain (find out for sure) if a theory is true.
- ✓NOT like "guess" (which is uncertain), "ascertain" means you are sure after checking.
- ✓NOT like "assume" (you think something is true without proof), "ascertain" means you have proof or clear evidence.
- ✓NOT like "discover" (which can be sudden), "ascertain" is often slower and more careful to be sure.
Try Other Words
- •Discover: to find or learn something new (Use when something is found unexpectedly or for the first time)
- •Verify: to check that something is true or correct (Use when you want to confirm or prove something)
- •Determine: to decide or find out after study (Use when the result is certain after investigation)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "as-" (to, toward) + root "certain" (sure, known)
- •Etymology: From Old French "acerteiner," from Latin "certus" meaning sure or certain
- •Historical development: Used in English from the late 15th century to mean making sure or confirming facts
- •Modern usage: Common in formal speech and writing when talking about checking facts or truth carefully
Reflect & Connect
•How can you ascertain if information online is true or false?
•When is it important to ascertain facts before making a decision in your life?
Fill in the blanks
1.Before the meeting, she tried to ascertain ___ the new project would start on time.
2.The doctor must ascertain ___ the patient has an allergy before giving medicine.
3.Unlike guessing, to ascertain something you need to ___ evidence or proof.
4.The detective worked hard to ascertain ___ the witness was telling the truth.
5.People often ascertain facts by ___ questions and checking information carefully.
6.To ascertain the results, the scientist repeated the experiment ___ times.
7.If you do not ascertain the details first, you might make a ___ decision.