Ascertain vs. Determine: What's the Difference?
By Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
Ascertain means to find out something with certainty through examination or investigation, while determine means to establish or conclude something based on evidence or reasoning.
Key Differences
Ascertain involves discovering information with certainty through thorough examination or investigation. For instance, a detective ascertains the facts of a case by gathering and analyzing evidence, ensuring the information is accurate. Determine, on the other hand, means to establish or conclude something based on evidence or reasoning. A judge determines a verdict by considering the facts and applying the law, reaching a decision through careful consideration.
Ascertain is often used when the process involves active inquiry or investigation. A scientist might ascertain the cause of an experiment's failure through repeated testing and analysis. Determine is used in contexts where a decision or conclusion is reached. For example, a manager determines the project's success by evaluating its outcomes against the set goals.
Ascertain emphasizes the process of finding out with certainty, often requiring effort and verification. A journalist might ascertain the truth of a rumor by checking multiple sources. Determine focuses on the end result, the act of coming to a conclusion or making a decision. An engineer determines the structural integrity of a bridge by assessing the design and materials.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To find out with certainty through investigation
To establish or conclude based on evidence
Process
Involves active inquiry and verification
Involves evaluation and decision-making
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Common Usage
Scientific, investigative contexts
Legal, decision-making contexts
Emphasis
On obtaining accurate information
On reaching a conclusion
Example Context
Ascertain the cause of a problem
Determine the best course of action
Ascertain and Determine Definitions
Ascertain
To discover with certainty.
The detective ascertained the suspect's whereabouts.
Determine
To decide after consideration.
The committee will determine the final budget.
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Ascertain
To find out through investigation.
Researchers are trying to ascertain the effects of the new drug.
Determine
To conclude based on evidence.
The judge determined the sentence after hearing both sides.
Ascertain
To make sure of something.
Please ascertain that all doors are locked before leaving.
Determine
To establish the facts of something.
We need to determine the cause of the error.
Ascertain
To verify details.
She ascertained the time of the meeting from the schedule.
Determine
To come to a decision.
They determined to proceed with the plan despite the risks.
Ascertain
To discover with certainty, as through examination or experimentation.
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Ascertain
(Archaic) To make certain, definite, and precise.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
Ascertain
To find out definitely; to discover or establish.
As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.
Determine
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
Ascertain
(obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
Determine
To cause (someone) to come to a decision or resolution
"It was the discovery ... of this very project of hers, which determined him to come forward at once, own it all to his uncle" (Jane Austen).
Ascertain
(archaic) To establish, to prove.
Determine
To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
Ascertain
(archaic) To ensure or effect.
Determine
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
Ascertain
To render (a person) certain; to cause to feel certain; to make confident; to assure; to apprise.
When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained.
Muncer assured them that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its effects.
Determine
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
Ascertain
To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to free from obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix; to determine.
The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
The very deferring [of his execution] shall increase and ascertain the condemnation.
The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . . persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation.
Determine
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Ascertain
To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial, examination, or experiment; to get to know; as, to ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a metal.
He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining whether a descent on England was practicable.
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Ascertain
After a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study;
Find the product of two numbers
The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Ascertain
Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
Control the quality of the product
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Ascertain
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Ascertain
Learn or discover with certainty
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
Ascertain
To confirm through evidence.
We need to ascertain the accuracy of these reports.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.
The court has determined the cause.
Determine
To resolve (to do something); to establish a fixed intention; to cause (something) to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.
I determined to go home at once.
Determine
(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determine
To bring to an end; to finish.
Determine
To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
Determine
To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
Now, where is he that will not stay so longTill his friend sickness hath determined me?
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; - with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name.
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.
Determine
To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately.
Determine
To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determine
To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
Determine
To come to an end; to end; to terminate.
He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together.
Estates may determine on future contingencies.
Determine
To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; - often with on.
He shall pay as the judges determine.
Determine
After a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study;
Find the product of two numbers
The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize
Determine
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Determine
Fix conclusively or authoritatively;
Set the rules
Determine
Decide upon or fix definitely;
Fix the variables
Specify the parameters
Determine
Reach, make, or come to a decision about something;
We finally decided after lengthy deliberations
Determine
Fix in scope; fix the boundaries of; the tree determines the border of the property
Determine
Settle conclusively; come to terms;
We finally settled the argument
Determine
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Determine
To influence a result.
The weather can determine the success of the event.
FAQs
When should you use determine?
Use determine in contexts involving decision-making or concluding, such as in legal judgments or strategic planning.
How is determine different from ascertain?
Determine involves concluding or deciding based on evidence, while ascertain focuses on discovering information with certainty.
Can ascertain be used in legal contexts?
Yes, ascertain can be used in legal contexts, especially when investigating facts.
Can ascertain and determine be used interchangeably?
Not always. Ascertain is about finding out with certainty, whereas determine is about concluding or deciding.
What does it mean to ascertain something?
Ascertain means to find out something with certainty through investigation or examination.
In what context would you use ascertain?
Use ascertain in contexts involving investigation or verification, like scientific research or detective work.
What is the emphasis of determine?
The emphasis is on reaching a conclusion or making a decision based on evidence.
Can ascertain be used in everyday language?
Yes, it can be used in everyday language, especially in contexts of finding out specific information.
What is the emphasis of ascertain?
The emphasis is on obtaining accurate and certain information.
Is determine more about the process or the result?
Determine is more about the result or conclusion reached.
Does ascertain imply certainty?
Yes, ascertain implies discovering something with certainty.
Is determine more common in formal contexts?
Yes, determine is more commonly used in formal contexts like legal and academic settings.
Can you use determine to mean influence?
Yes, determine can also mean to influence or decide the outcome of something.
Is ascertain more active than determine?
Yes, ascertain often involves an active process of inquiry and verification.
Can determine be used in scientific contexts?
Yes, determine can be used in scientific contexts when concluding results from experiments.
What kind of verbs are ascertain and determine?
Both are transitive verbs requiring an object to complete their meaning.
Is ascertain more about the process or the result?
Ascertain is more about the process of finding out with certainty.
Can you ascertain a decision?
No, you ascertain facts or information but determine a decision.
Does determine imply a conclusion?
Yes, determine implies reaching a conclusion or making a decision.
Can you determine the truth?
Yes, you can determine the truth by evaluating evidence and reaching a conclusion.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
