ascertain
gb/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn/ us/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn/
B2
English
~ 5000
megállapít, kiderít, megbizonyosodik
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to ascertain [something]
The police are working to ascertain the cause of the accident.
A rendőrség azon dolgozik, hogy megállapítsa a baleset okát.
We need to ascertain whether she will be available for the meeting.
Ki kell derítenünk, hogy ráér-e a megbeszélésre.
The study aims to ascertain the effects of the new drug.
He tried to ascertain the truth by interviewing all witnesses.
The inspector will ascertain if all safety measures are in place.
Learner examples
I called to ascertain the time of the meeting.
Azért telefonáltam, hogy megtudjam a megbeszélés időpontját.
The doctor will ascertain if you have an infection.
Az orvos meg fogja állapítani, hogy van-e fertőzésed.
They want to ascertain the reason for the delay.
We must ascertain if it is safe to go inside.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ascertain' with 'assume' or 'guess', but 'ascertain' means to be sure after checking.
Meaning
Find out with certainty
Collocations
ascertain the facts
|ascertain the cause
|ascertain the truth
|ascertain whether
|ascertain the extent
Synonyms
determine (Often interchangeable, but 'determine' is slightly broader and may refer to deciding rather than just finding out.)
|
verify ('Verify' emphasizes confirming information already believed or suspected.)
Antonyms
guess (Guessing means forming an opinion without certain knowledge, the opposite of ascertaining.)
|
assume (To take something as true without proof, which contrasts with confirming it through evidence.)
Themes
communication
|research
|investigation
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To find out or learn something for sure after trying to get the facts.
To discover or determine something for sure, often by making an effort to get the necessary information.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ascertain
IPA
GB/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn/
US/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
as - cer - tain (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cer)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: ascertain
- 3rd Person Singular: ascertains
- Present Participle: ascertaining
- Past: ascertained
Word family
Forms
ascertains
verb
ascertaining
verb
ascertained
verb
Negative and opposite forms
uncertain
adjective B1
uncertainty
noun B1
Advanced or less common
ascertainable
adjective
ascertainment
noun
Expressions
ascertain the cause
1/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn ðə kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
formal
Find out why something happened
To find out the reason why something happened.
Examples
- Engineers are trying to ascertain the cause of the power outage.
- We must ascertain the cause before we can fix the problem.
ascertain the facts
1/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn ðə fˈækts/
fixed phrase
formal
Find out the true details
To learn what is really true about something by checking carefully.
Examples
- Before making a decision, we must ascertain the facts.
- The lawyer worked hard to ascertain the facts of the case.
ascertain the truth
1/ˌæsɚtˈeɪn ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
formal
Find out what is true
To find out what is really true about something.
Examples
- They interviewed several witnesses to ascertain the truth.
- It took months to ascertain the truth about what happened.