To 'ascertain' something means to:

To 'ascertain' something means to learn or determine it with certainty. This term is often used in contexts where someone seeks to establish the truth or verify information through investigation, inquiry, or careful examination. For instance, if someone tries to ascertain facts about a matter, they are dedicated to uncovering precise details and ensuring their understanding is accurate. This distinguishes 'ascertain' from choices that suggest uncertainty or negligence, such as guessing or estimating, which indicates a lack of confidence in the information, or ignoring facts and overlooking details, which implies a disregard for finding the truth.