know the whereabouts

USAGE SUMMARY

"know the whereabouts" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate knowledge of someone or something's location or specific details about their whereabouts. Example: "Could you please let me know the whereabouts of the missing documents? I need to find them urgently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Does anybody know the whereabouts Andrea Lowe?" asks Alex Wright.

The Guardian - Sport

How could he not know the whereabouts of his animals?

The Guardian

For years, the tribe did not know the whereabouts of these recordings.

The New Yorker

Bruce Blacker, who lives just west of the slide, doesn't know the whereabouts of six neighbours.

The Guardian

Officials said they did not know the whereabouts of the child's mother.

The New York Times

How many stinking rich people can be said to know the whereabouts of each of their possessions?

Independent

Telephone numbers are provided so people can call if they think they know the whereabouts of a suspect.

The New York Times

The police said they did not know the whereabouts of Ms. Wu's lungs and heart, and were searching for them.

The New York Times

Ms. Marsh said she did not know the whereabouts of the leader and neither did her clients.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON, March 24— The State Department acknowl edged today that it did not know the whereabouts of Capt.

The New York Times

Kramer said sheriffs do not know the whereabouts of Lohr and Guolee, or if they are together.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "location", "position", or "place" to avoid repetition and enhance the readability of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using vague pronouns when asking if someone "knows the whereabouts". Be specific about who or what you're asking about to prevent confusion. Instead of "Do you know the whereabouts?", say "Do you know the whereabouts of the missing documents?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know the whereabouts" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, typically following a verb like "do", "does", or "did" to express a lack of knowledge or uncertainty about someone or something's location. Ludwig confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "know the whereabouts" is a commonly used verbal phrase that indicates knowledge or lack thereof regarding the location of someone or something. Ludwig confirms this is a grammatically correct phrase. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, ensure clarity and specificity in your writing by avoiding vague pronouns and varying your vocabulary to enhance readability. This phrase is used to seek information or state the position of an entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be aware of someone's location

Focuses on being generally informed about a person's position, lacking the specificity of "whereabouts".

have knowledge of someone's location

Highlights the possession of information about a person's position, stressing the informational aspect.

be informed about someone's whereabouts

Stresses the state of being updated on someone's location.

be familiar with someone's whereabouts

Emphasizes a degree of acquaintance with someone's location, more than simply knowing it.

possess information about someone's location

Underscores the ownership of data concerning a person's position, stressing the aspect of possession.

have an idea of someone's location

Suggests a general understanding of where someone might be, rather than precise knowledge.

keep track of someone's location

Emphasizes the continuous monitoring of someone's position, suggesting a recurring effort.

be able to track someone's movements

Highlights the ability to follow someone's progress or path, implying ongoing awareness.

ascertain the location of someone

Focuses on the action of finding out someone's location, rather than already knowing it.

determine the position of someone

Emphasizes the process of establishing someone's precise point, stressing accuracy.

FAQs

How can I ask about someone's location politely?

Instead of directly asking "Where is he?", you can use a more polite phrase like "Do you "know the whereabouts" of Mr. Smith?"

What does "whereabouts" mean?

"Whereabouts" refers to the place where someone or something is. To ""know the whereabouts"" of something means to know where it is located.

Is it better to say "location" or "whereabouts"?

Both "location" and "whereabouts" can be used to refer to a place. "Whereabouts" often implies a less precise or more general area. You can use alternatives like "position", "place" or "site" depending on the context.

How to use ""know the whereabouts"" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The police are trying to "ascertain the whereabouts" of the suspect", or "Officials say they do not "know the whereabouts" of the missing painting."