current whereabouts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "current whereabouts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's present location or status. Example: "The police are trying to determine the current whereabouts of the missing person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their current whereabouts are unknown.

The New York Times

Current whereabouts unknown.

The Guardian

The limo's current whereabouts are unknown.

The New York Times

Her current whereabouts is unknown.

The New York Times

Wiswell's current whereabouts are unclear.

The New Yorker

His current whereabouts is unknown.

The Guardian

His current whereabouts is unknown, it said.

The New York Times

Mr. Bashir's current whereabouts is unknown.

The New York Times

Monsegur's current whereabouts are not publicly known.

The Guardian - Tech

The tub's current whereabouts are not known.

The New York Times

Mr. Markovic's current whereabouts is not known.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about missing persons or objects, use "current whereabouts" to maintain a neutral and objective tone. Avoid sensational language unless appropriate for the context.

Common error

Remember that "whereabouts" is a single word, referring to a place, not "where abouts", which is grammatically incorrect. Always use the single-word form when discussing someone or something's location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "current whereabouts" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It's used to denote the present location or position of a person or thing, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "current whereabouts" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, particularly in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase to denote the present location or position of a person or thing. The phrase is typically used in neutral to professional registers, serving the purpose of inquiring about or reporting on someone's location. Alternatives include "present location" or "current location", but "current whereabouts" maintains a level of formality suitable for many situations. A key point to remember is that "whereabouts" is always a single word, and the plural form is correct even when referring to one place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present location

Focuses more directly on the geographical position at the moment.

current location

A more common and slightly less formal way of asking about someone's position.

whereabouts now

Emphasizes the immediacy of the inquiry regarding the location.

present status

Shifts the focus from the geographical location to the condition or situation.

current position

Can refer to either a physical location or a figurative standing.

last known location

Highlights the most recent confirmed place of someone or something.

precise location

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the place.

where they are now

A more descriptive and less direct way of asking for someone's position.

their current state

Shifts the focus to their condition or well-being, rather than location.

actual location

Focuses on emphasizing the authenticity and factual correctness about the location.

FAQs

How do you use "current whereabouts" in a sentence?

You can use "current whereabouts" to inquire about someone's location, as in, "The police are trying to determine the suspect's current whereabouts." It can also be used to describe the location, as in, "The current whereabouts of the stolen painting are unknown."

What's a more formal alternative to "current whereabouts"?

While "current whereabouts" is already quite formal, you could use "present location" or "precise location" to emphasize accuracy. However, "current whereabouts" is generally suitable for most professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "current whereabout" instead of "current whereabouts"?

No, "whereabouts" is a plural noun that is used to refer to a location, even if it's a single place. "Current whereabout" is grammatically incorrect. Always use the plural form, "whereabouts".

What can I say instead of "current whereabouts"?

You can use alternatives like "present location", "current location", or "last known location" depending on the context.