vt.確定；查明；探知

I ascertain that he was murdered. 我確定他是被謀殺的。

I ascertained the disease to be diphtheria. 我確定該病為白喉。

The detective was trying to ascertain exactly who was at the party. 這個偵探試圖查明都有誰參加了聚會。

It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits. 煤儲量很難探明。

My purpose is to ascertain whether you are interested or not. 我的目的是要弄清你是否感興趣。

ascertain的基本意思是“發(fā)現前所未知的事物”。通常指意識到了自己的無知之后通過有意識的努力來弄清真相或找出事實。

ascertain是及物動詞,接truth, fact等名詞或名詞從句作賓語,可用于被動結構。