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"Ascertain" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "establecer", and "figure out" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "resolver". Learn more about the difference between "ascertain" and "figure out" below.
ascertain(
ah
-
suhr
-
teyn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (general)
a. establecer
The judge ordered an inquiry into the accident in an attempt to ascertain the circumstances surrounding it.El juez pidió que se abriera una investigación sobre el accidente, en un intento por establecer las circunstancias que lo rodearon.
b. determinar
It had proved impossible to ascertain the cause of death.Había resultado imposible determinar la causa de la muerte.
c. averiguar
I think we need to ascertain what's really going on before making a judgment.Yo creo que tenemos que averiguar qué está pasando de verdad antes de formarnos un juicio.
figure out(
fih
-
gyuhr
aut
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to solve)
a. resolver
The first one to figure out the problem gets a prize.El primero que resuelva el problema, se gana un premio.
b. descifrar
Sherlock Holmes figured out the mystery of the stolen jewelry.Sherlock Holmes descifró el misterio de las joyas robadas.
c. calcular (in mathematics)
Figure out the sum of the inner angles of the polygon.Calcula la suma de los ángulos interiores del polígono.
a. entender
The instructions shouldn't be this difficult. I'm really struggling to figure them out.Las instrucciones no deberían ser tan difícles. Me está costando bastante entenderlas.
