It was difficult to ascertain vs It is difficult to ascertain

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "It was difficult to ascertain" is used when referring to a past event or situation, while "it is difficult to ascertain" is used when talking about a current or ongoing situation.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 1119 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a past event or situation.

"It was difficult to ascertain "

This phrase is used to indicate that something was hard to determine or find out in the past.

Examples:

It was difficult to ascertain the exact cause of the problem.
It was difficult to ascertain his true intentions.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was difficult to ascertain what success had attended his patience. It is impossible to ascertain who these detractors were - possibly British fellow- workers in ...
It was difficult to ascertain which way the judges were leaning. Washington Post Feb 28, 2016. PrevNext. Copyright © 2016 Vocabulary.com All Rights Reserved.
He told the story in such a strange way that it was difficult to ascertain his exact message. To ascertain if his business was actually making a profit, John hired an ...
He said it was difficult to ascertain the impact of ChikV generally. “Most of my patients work hard physically, primarily as labour intensive farmers. ChikV, with the ...

Alternatives:

It was hard to determine
It was challenging to figure out

This phrase is correct when talking about a current or ongoing situation.

"It is difficult to ascertain "

This phrase is used to indicate that something is currently hard to determine or find out.

Examples:

It is difficult to ascertain the impact of the new policy.
It is difficult to ascertain the accuracy of the data.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is difficult to ascertain the true extent of domestic violence because: a) there is a large 'dark figure' of unreported incidents. b) the changing definitions of legal ...
As so many rapes go unreported each year, it is difficult to ascertain the actual number of sexual assaults. *Word of the Day Email*. Get vocabulary sentences ...
It is impossible to discover even his full name, Gaius or Caius being merely his personal name (praenomen). As with his name it is difficult to ascertain the span ...
Polarization is so much a part of the process of escalation that it is difficult to ascertain if one is the cause of the other. Ikle writes that as soon as two adversaries ...

Alternatives:

It is hard to determine
It is challenging to figure out

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

It was difficult to ascertain vs It is difficult to ascertain