ascertain
verb (used with object)
to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine.
were ascertaining
-
past progressiveof ascertain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Monday evening, Assam Director General of Police GP Singh had said that authorities were ascertaining the exact number of people trapped.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2025
While they were ascertaining which suit of clothes would be best adapted to his figure, I went with Sydney to my room.
From The Beetle by Richard Marsh
Some gentlemen, he said, deal with these statistics, as if they were ascertaining the numbers of an invading army.
From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone (Vol 2 of 3) by John Morley
