ascertain the whereabouts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascertain the whereabouts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to find out the location or position of someone or something. Example: "The detective was tasked to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I have difficulty in appreciating why the accused did not ascertain the whereabouts of his girlfriend when he got out of the bed," Nair said.

The New Yorker

Once it was easy for cops to ascertain the whereabouts of both parties in an outgoing telephone conversation: they knew where the tapped wire led and they could hear the number called by the suspect.

The New Yorker

"We have talked with officials of the Libyan government in Tripoli, and they tell us they are attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of our journalists," said Bill Keller, executive editor of The Times.

The New York Times

Why did the accused not ascertain the whereabouts of his girlfriend when he got out of bed?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Taxay, writing in 1966, stated that he had been unable to ascertain the bust's whereabouts.

Wikipedia

Shehu said the government was keen to ascertain the girl's identity so she can be brought back to Nigeria and possibly assist the government in investigations regarding the fate and whereabouts of the other missing Chibok girls.

The Guardian

Occasionally, Emil made phone calls to ascertain the progress.

The New Yorker

They do not get the facts; they "ascertain the data".

The New York Times

He used a device to ascertain the truth".

Huffington Post

Swedroe again used Morningstar data to ascertain the correct benchmark.

Huffington Post

We should learn the whereabouts of the victims' direct descendants.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascertain the whereabouts" in formal writing or when a degree of investigation or formality is implied. For less formal situations, consider using "find out where".

Common error

Avoid using "ascertain the whereabouts" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "find out where" or "discover the location" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascertain the whereabouts" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe the action of finding out or establishing the location of something or someone. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascertain the whereabouts" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of discovering or determining a location, as validated by Ludwig. It's best suited for formal contexts, such as news reports or official inquiries. While the phrase is valid, less formal options are preferable in casual settings. The phrase is primarily found in news and media sources and related phrases can be used as suitable alternatives based on the specific context. Although infrequent, the examples in Ludwig confirm its consistent usage and meaning in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the location of

Replaces "ascertain" with "determine" and "whereabouts" with "location", resulting in a more direct and common phrasing.

determine the position of

Replaces "whereabouts" with the more precise term "position", suitable for technical contexts.

establish the location of

Substitutes "ascertain" with "establish", emphasizing the act of confirming the location.

discover the whereabouts of

Emphasizes the finding aspect of the location, implying it was previously unknown.

confirm the location of

Focuses on verifying a known or suspected location.

uncover the whereabouts of

Suggests that the location is hidden or difficult to find, emphasizing the act of revealing it.

find out the location of

Uses a more informal verb, "find out", instead of "ascertain", making the phrase less formal.

learn the location of

Substitutes "ascertain" with "learn", indicating the acquisition of knowledge about a location.

investigate the location of

Focuses on the investigative process of finding a location.

trace the location of

Implies following a path or trail to find the location.

FAQs

What does "ascertain the whereabouts" mean?

The phrase "ascertain the whereabouts" means to discover or determine the location of someone or something, usually through investigation or inquiry.

When is it appropriate to use "ascertain the whereabouts"?

It's appropriate to use "ascertain the whereabouts" in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents, news reports, or formal inquiries. In more casual situations, simpler phrases are often preferable.

What are some alternatives to "ascertain the whereabouts"?

Alternatives include "determine the location of", "find out the location of", or "discover the whereabouts of", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "ascertain the whereabouts" formal language?

Yes, "ascertain the whereabouts" is considered formal language. The verb "ascertain" and the noun "whereabouts" are more commonly used in formal or official contexts than in everyday conversation.