Ascertain vs. Determine — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
Ascertain involves finding out something with certainty through investigation or experimentation, while determine generally means to conclude or decide firmly after analysis.
Difference Between Ascertain and Determine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ascertain is used to describe the process of discovering precise information through careful checking or research, emphasizing the clarity and confirmation of facts. In contrast, to determine implies making a decision or reaching a conclusion about something after considering all the evidence and factors involved. While ascertain focuses more on the journey to obtain certainty about facts or details, determine deals with establishing outcomes, decisions, or resolutions based on facts or reasoning.
When someone ascertains information, they usually engage in a process of inquiry to remove doubts, such as confirming a schedule, verifying data, or clarifying details. On the other hand, determining something often involves a final decision-making process, like determining a course of action, deciding a legal matter, or setting a strategy based on analyzed data. Ascertain thus often precedes determine, as gaining information is a step towards making an informed decision.
The scenarios in which ascertain and determine are used can also highlight their nuances. For instance, a scientist may ascertain the properties of a material through tests and then determine its suitability for a specific application. Here, ascertain is about finding out known qualities through investigation, while determine is about using that information to make a choice or judgment.
In practical terms, ascertain might involve a variety of investigative methods to ensure that the information is correct, reflecting a need for precision and certainty. Determine, however, often follows ascertain, as it is about using the acquired knowledge to make informed choices, reflecting decisiveness and commitment to a particular direction based on that information.
Both terms imply a thoroughness but differ in their endpoints: ascertain is about achieving clear understanding, and determine is about applying that understanding in making choices or forming judgments.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To find out or learn with certainty.
To conclude or resolve definitively.
Focus
Investigation and verification.
Decision-making and conclusion.
Process
Involves gathering and confirming information.
Involves using information to make decisions or judgments.
Example Usage
"He ascertained the time of the meeting through a phone call."
"She determined the best route to take based on the traffic updates."
Outcome
Clarity and confirmation of facts.
Decisions or conclusions based on facts.
Compare with Definitions
Ascertain
To find out something definitively and with certainty.
The detective ascertained the witness's location at the time of the crime.
Determine
To influence or dictate the outcome of something.
Her determination and skills determined her rapid advancement in the company.
Ascertain
To make sure of something by examination or experimentation.
Researchers are trying to ascertain the cause of the recent ecological changes.
Determine
To firmly decide or conclude something after consideration.
The jury determined the defendant's guilt based on the evidence presented.
Ascertain
To learn or establish something with certainty.
He ascertained the authenticity of the document through forensic tests.
Determine
To establish or resolve something as a result of analysis or investigation.
Scientists determined the structure of the virus using advanced imaging techniques.
Ascertain
To discover with precision through research or investigation.
They ascertained that the painting was indeed an original based on expert analysis.
Determine
To settle a question or problem.
The meeting was held to determine the company's strategy for the next year.
Ascertain
To confirm or verify information previously in doubt.
She ascertained her flight schedule through the airline's website.
Determine
To make a formal judgment or decision.
The committee will determine the award recipients next week.
Ascertain
To discover with certainty, as through examination or experimentation.
Determine
Determine (April 7, 1951 – September 27, 1972), was an American Thoroughbred race horse. In a racing career which lasted from 1953 through 1955, the California-trained colt ran forty-four times and won eighteen races.
Ascertain
(Archaic) To make certain, definite, and precise.
Determine
Cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature
It will be her mental attitude that determines her future
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
Firmly decide
My wife had determined that I must swap my old bike for a car
She determined to tackle Stephen the next day
He determined on a withdrawal of his forces
Ascertain
(obsolete) To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
Determine
Bring or come to an end.
Ascertain
(archaic) To establish, to prove.
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Ascertain
(archaic) To ensure or effect.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
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
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
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
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
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 be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
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
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
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
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
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
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Ascertain
Learn or discover with certainty
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
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
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to ascertain something?
To ascertain something means to find it out with certainty, often through detailed checking or investigation.
Can ascertain and determine be used interchangeably?
They are not generally interchangeable as ascertain is focused on verifying truth, while determine is about making decisions based on that truth.
What is an example of determine in planning?
In planning, determining might involve choosing a final project plan based on evaluated proposals.
Is ascertain more about process or outcome?
Ascertain is more about the process of verifying or finding out information.
What does it mean to determine something?
To determine something means to make a firm decision or conclusion about it after thorough consideration.
How do ascertain and determine differ in use?
Ascertain is about achieving certainty through discovery and verification, whereas determine is about making decisions based on what is ascertained.
What skills are necessary to ascertain information?
Skills like attention to detail, thoroughness in investigation, and analytical thinking are crucial for ascertaining information.
What is an example of ascertain in scientific research?
In scientific research, ascertaining might involve confirming the chemical composition of a substance through experiments.
Is determine more about process or outcome?
Determine is more about the outcome, particularly the decisions or conclusions drawn from processed information.
What skills are necessary to determine outcomes?
Skills such as decision-making, critical thinking, and evaluative judgment are important for determining outcomes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
