whereabouts
whereabouts — noun
1. the general area where someone or something can be found, especially when that l
the general area where someone or something can be found, especially when that location has not yet been confirmed
The police are still trying to determine the whereabouts of the missing child.
determine whereabouts of [person]
Haruto's whereabouts remained unknown to the rescue team for three days.
possessive + whereabouts + remain unknown
Officials are tracking the whereabouts of every relief supply sent to the area.
Ayesha filed a report asking about the whereabouts of her lost passport.
文法句型
the whereabouts of [person/thing]
[possessive] whereabouts
用法筆記
Always appears in plural form (whereabouts), though it can take either a singular verb ('his whereabouts is unknown') or a plural verb ('his whereabouts are unknown'). Singular is more common in formal British English.
常見錯誤
whereabouts — adverb
1. used to ask about the particular part or area of a place where something happens
used to ask about the particular part or area of a place where something happens or is located
Whereabouts in Taipei did Quinn stay during the conference?
Whereabouts in [city/area]
Whereabouts did you find that old photograph of your grandmother?
Whereabouts on the trail did the hikers lose their way?
Sofia asked, 'Whereabouts is the new library located?'
- where
more neutral and widely used; whereabouts sounds slightly more conversational and assumes an area rather than a point
文法句型
Whereabouts + in/on + [place]?
Whereabouts + did/do/does + [subject] + [verb]?
用法筆記
Slightly more informal than simply 'where'. Often used when the speaker believes the answer will refer to a general area rather than a precise address.
常見錯誤
whereabouts — conjunction
1. used to connect two clauses when referring to the general area or approximate pl
used to connect two clauses when referring to the general area or approximate place where something happens, is located, or is done
Allison told me whereabouts she had hidden the spare key.
tell someone whereabouts [clause]
The old map shows whereabouts the ancient temple once stood.
Rachid could not remember whereabouts he had parked the rental car.
The guide explained whereabouts the best hiking routes began.
- where
the more common alternative; whereabouts adds a nuance of approximate area
文法句型
[verb] + whereabouts + [clause]
know whereabouts
tell whereabouts
用法筆記
This conjunction is largely interchangeable with 'where' in many contexts, but 'whereabouts' emphasizes a general or approximate area rather than an exact point. It is less common in modern spoken English than 'where'.
2. used to ask about or refer to the purpose or reason for a person's journey or vi
used to ask about or refer to the purpose or reason for a person's journey or visit, rather than the location itself
The border guard asked whereabouts the travelers were headed at that late hour.
ask whereabouts [someone] is headed (purpose)
Tamar's employer inquired whereabouts she was going during her extended leave.
The receptionist wanted to know whereabouts the delivery driver was going.
The teacher asked the student whereabouts he was off to during class time.
文法句型
ask whereabouts [someone] is/was going
inquire whereabouts [someone] is headed
用法筆記
This sense is quite old-fashioned and formal. In modern English, speakers are more likely to ask 'what was your business' or 'where were you going' directly. It appears mainly in formal or historical writing.