---
title: ascertain — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «ascertain» in the school dictionary: To find out for certain whether something is true, usually by checking carefully. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# ascertain

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** something, command word, nobody, people, Using, I · **What happens:** find out, be, check, work out, ascertain, mean · **To what, where:** exact fact, number, everyday talk, casual talk, whereabouts, total number · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«ascertain» in the school dictionary: its 5 meanings for a pupil and its 13 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [ascertain in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ascertain.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To find out for certain whether something is true, usually by checking carefully.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:m1:1
# text = To find out for certain whether something is true, usually by checking carefully.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	find	find	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	out	out	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	certain	certain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	obl	_	_
6	whether	whether	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	9	nsubj	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
9	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	usually	usually	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
12	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
13	checking	check	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	9	conj	_	_
14	carefully	carefully	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find out** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | for certain | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | present | something |  |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **check** | gerund | something *not said here* |  |  |  |  | carefully, usually *property* | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To work out an exact fact or number, such as an amount or a cause.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:m2:1
# text = To work out an exact fact or number, such as an amount or a cause.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	work	work	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	out	out	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	exact	exact	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	fact	fact	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
10	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	13	case	_	_
11	as	as	ADP	IN	_	10	fixed	_	_
12	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	amount	amount	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	parataxis	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	cause	cause	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **work out** | to-infinitive |  | a exact fact or number or a cause |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fact=Topic |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal, exam — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A command word: «Ascertain the number…» means find the number, the same as «find» or «work out».

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:m3:1
# text = A command word: «Ascertain the number…» means find the number, the same as «find» or «work out».
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	command	command	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	6	punct	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	Ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	appos	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	…	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
11	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
12	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	xcomp	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
16	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	appos	_	_
18	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	20	mark	_	_
19	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	20	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	17	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	20	punct	_	_
22	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	24	cc	_	_
23	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	work	work	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	20	conj	_	_
25	out	out	ADP	RP	_	24	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | the number |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Topic |
| 2 | **mean** | present | a command word |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **find** *not said to happen* | infinitive | a command word *not said here* | the number |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Topic |
| 4 | **find** *in a quote* | infinitive | a command word *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn declare-29.4-1-1 «NP V what S\_INF»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **work out** *in a quote* | infinitive | a command word *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: casual — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In everyday talk nobody says ascertain; people say «find out», «check», «suss out» (UK, Australia), «figure out» (US) or «work out».

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:m4:1
# text = In everyday talk nobody says ascertain; people say «find out», «check», «suss out» (UK, Australia), «figure out» (US) or «work out».
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	everyday	everyday	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	talk	talk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
4	nobody	nobody	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	5	nsubj	_	_
5	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nsubj	_	_
9	say	say	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	ccomp	_	_
10	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	ccomp	_	_
12	out	out	ADP	RP	_	11	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
15	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	check	check	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
19	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	20	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	suss	suss	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	ccomp	_	_
21	out	out	ADP	RP	_	20	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	20	punct	_	_
23	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	26	punct	_	_
26	Australia	Australia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	24	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	30	punct	_	_
29	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	30	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
30	figure	figure	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	ccomp	_	_
31	out	out	ADP	RP	_	30	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
32	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	30	punct	_	_
33	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	34	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
34	US	US	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	30	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
35	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	34	punct	_	_
36	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	38	cc	_	_
37	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	38	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
38	work	work	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	30	conj	_	_
39	out	out	ADP	RP	_	38	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
40	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	38	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
41	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | nobody |  |  | everyday talk |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **ascertain** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | people |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 4 | **find out** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **check** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 6 | **suss out** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 7 | **figure out** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 8 | **work out** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: casual, joking — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Using ascertain in casual talk sounds pompous or jokey: «I shall ascertain the whereabouts of my socks.».

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:m5:1
# text = Using ascertain in casual talk sounds pompous or jokey: «I shall ascertain the whereabouts of my socks.».
1	Using	use	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	csubj	_	_
2	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	xcomp	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	casual	casual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	talk	talk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
6	sounds	sound	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	pompous	pompous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	jokey	jokey	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	14	punct	_	_
11	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
13	shall	shall	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	14	aux	_	_
14	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	parataxis	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	whereabouts	whereabouts	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	14	obj	_	_
17	of	of	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
18	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	19	nmod:poss	_	_
19	socks	sock	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | gerund |  |  |  | casual talk |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **ascertain** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **sound** | present | Using |  |  |  |  | pompous *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **ascertain** *in a quote* | shall | I | the whereabouts of my socks |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent whereabouts=Topic |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ascertain the total number of apples in the three baskets.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x1:1
# text = Ascertain the total number of apples in the three baskets.
1	Ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	total	total	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	apples	apple	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	10	nummod	_	_
10	baskets	basket	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** | imperative | you *not said here* | the total number of apples in the three baskets |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The police are trying to ascertain what happened.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x2:1
# text = The police are trying to ascertain what happened.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	police	police	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	trying	try	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	8	nsubj	_	_
8	happened	happen	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **try** | present · progressive | the police |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **ascertain** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the police *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **happen** | past |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Please ascertain whether the door is locked before you leave.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x3:1
# text = Please ascertain whether the door is locked before you leave.
1	Please	please	INTJ	UH	_	2	discourse	_	_
2	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	whether	whether	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	locked	lock	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	advcl	_	_
8	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
10	leave	leave	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **lock** | present · passive |  | the door |  |  |  |  | vn tape-22.4 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 3 | **leave** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher wanted to ascertain who had broken the window.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x4:1
# text = The teacher wanted to ascertain who had broken the window.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	wanted	want	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
7	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	broken	break	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	5	ccomp	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	window	window	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **want** | past | the teacher |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 2 | **ascertain** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the teacher *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **break** | past · perfect |  | the window |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer window=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Scientists ran tests to ascertain the cause of the illness.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x5:1
# text = Scientists ran tests to ascertain the cause of the illness.
1	Scientists	scientist	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	ran	run	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	tests	test	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	cause	cause	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	illness	illness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **run** | past | Scientists | tests |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme test=Trajectory |
| 2 | **ascertain** | to-infinitive | Scientists *not said here* | the cause of the illness |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cause=Topic |
| 3 | **cause** |  |  | the illness |  |  |  |  | nom cause «event transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We could not ascertain how many people came to the fair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x6:1
# text = We could not ascertain how many people came to the fair.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
6	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
8	came	come	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	ccomp	_	_
9	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	fair	fair	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **ascertain** | could | We |  |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **come** | past | many people |  |  | the fair |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to fair=Initial\_Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ascertain the cost of 4 pens at 30 cents each.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x7:1
# text = Ascertain the cost of 4 pens at 30 cents each.
1	Ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cost	cost	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	pens	pen	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nmod	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	30	30	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	cents	cent	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
10	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** | imperative | you *not said here* | the cost of 4 pens at 30 cents  each |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cost=Topic |
| 2 | **cost** |  |  | 4 pens at 30 cents  each |  |  |  |  | nom cost «possession transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ascertain the number of items remaining in the possession of a pupil who had 15 and relinquished 6. (formal exam)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* Ascertain the number of items remaining in the possession of a pupil who had 15 and relinquished 6.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x8:1
# text = Ascertain the number of items remaining in the possession of a pupil who had 15 and relinquished 6.
1	Ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	items	item	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nmod	_	_
6	remaining	remain	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	possession	possession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	pupil	pupil	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
13	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	acl:relcl	_	_
15	15	15	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	14	obj	_	_
16	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	relinquished	relinquish	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	14	conj	_	_
18	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	17	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** | imperative | you *not said here* | the number of items |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Topic |
| 2 | **remain** | gerund | items *not said here* |  |  | the possession of a pupil |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in possession=Location |
| 3 | **have** | past | a pupil | 15 |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent 15=Patient |
| 4 | **relinquish** | past | a pupil *not said here* | 6 |  |  |  |  | vn contribute-13.2 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent 6=Theme |
| 5 | **possess** |  |  | a pupil |  |  |  |  | nom possession «act transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (formal exam)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x8:2
# text = (formal exam)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	exam	exam	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Go and suss out how many chairs we've got, there's 9 of us. (casual, the same idea)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* Go and suss out how many chairs we've got, there's 9 of us.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x9:1
# text = Go and suss out how many chairs we've got, there's 9 of us.
1	Go	go	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	3	cc	_	_
3	suss	suss	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
4	out	out	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
6	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	chairs	chair	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
8	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	've	have	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	_
10	got	get	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	7	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	there	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	13	expl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	's	be	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	parataxis	_	_
14	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	13	nsubj	_	_
15	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	14	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **suss out** | infinitive | you *not said here* | many chairs |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **get** | present · perfect | we | many chairs *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer chair=Stimulus |
| 4 | **be** | present | 9 of us |  |  | there |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (casual, the same idea)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x9:2
# text = (casual, the same idea)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	casual	casual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 10 {#x10}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
figure out how much each pays, pizza was 24 bucks and we're 4 (casual)

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x10:1
# text = figure out how much each pays, pizza was 24 bucks and we're 4 (casual)
1	figure	figure	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	out	out	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	4	advmod	_	_
4	much	much	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	obj	_	_
5	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	nsubj	_	_
6	pays	pay	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	pizza	pizza	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
9	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
10	24	24	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	11	nummod	_	_
11	bucks	buck	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	parataxis	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
13	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	cop	_	_
15	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	conj	_	_
16	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	17	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	casual	casual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	17	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **figure out** | imperative | you *not said here* | much |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent much=Topic |
| 2 | **pay** | present | each |  |  |  |  |  | vn pay-68-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is a** | past | pizza | 24 bucks |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **is a** | present | we | 4 |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 11 {#x11}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Right, I shall now ascertain who ate my biscuits. (joking)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* Right, I shall now ascertain who ate my biscuits.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x11:1
# text = Right, I shall now ascertain who ate my biscuits.
1	Right	right	INTJ	UH	_	6	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
4	shall	shall	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
5	now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	6	advmod	_	_
6	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	ate	eat	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	ccomp	_	_
9	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	biscuits	biscuit	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ascertain** | shall | I |  |  |  | now |  | vn discover-84 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **eat** | past |  | my biscuits |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent biscuit=Patient |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (joking)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x11:2
# text = (joking)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	joking	joke	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **joke** *speech: other* | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn chit\_chat-37.6 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 12 {#x12}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Stop waffling and find out — don't «ascertain» me! (rough)

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* Stop waffling and find out — don't «ascertain» me!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x12:1
# text = Stop waffling and find out — don't «ascertain» me!
1	Stop	stop	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	waffling	waffle	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	1	xcomp	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	find	find	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	_
5	out	out	ADP	RP	_	4	compound:prt	_	_
6	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
7	do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	10	advmod	_	_
9	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	ascertain	ascertain	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	_
12	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stop** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Affector clause=Eventuality |
| 2 | **waffle** | gerund | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **find out** | infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **not** **ascertain** *in a quote* | infinitive · do-support | you *not said here* | me |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent i=Topic |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* (rough)

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x12:2
# text = (rough)
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	rough	rough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 13 {#x13}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Having ascertained this, she set to work at repairs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ascertain:x13:1
# text = Having ascertained this, she set to work at repairs.
1	Having	have	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
2	ascertained	ascertain	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	xcomp	_	_
3	this	this	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
5	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	set	set	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	work	work	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	at	at	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	repairs	repair	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | gerund | she *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **ascertain** | participle | she *not said here* | this |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent this=Topic |
| 3 | **set** | past | she |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **work** | to-infinitive | she *not said here* |  |  |  |  | at repairs | vn employment-95.3 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent at repair=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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