Whereabouts may function as an adverb (“Whereabouts is it?”), a conjunction (“I know whereabouts he lives”), or a noun (“Her whereabouts were unknown”). The noun form may provoke confusion because it feels singular but looks plural; should one write “her whereabouts were” or "her whereabouts was”? Because the final -s is an adverbial suffix, not a plural ending (similar to the one at the end of besides), certain usage commentators have insisted on treating whereabouts as a singular noun. In spite of this, you should feel comfortable pairing it with a plural verb; while some have employed singular verbs with this word, the plural (“her whereabouts were”) has become the regular choice.
AdverbWhereabouts did you park the car?whereabouts do you expect to be on your journey tonight?
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Family and friends of the Moormans had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to their whereabouts.Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 As a massive search for Fletcher continues, her family has offered a $50,000 reward for tips leading to her whereabouts.BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 As a massive search for Fletcher continues, her family has offered a $50,000 reward for tips leading to her whereabouts. Lyric Li, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2022 Since then, a forensic trail for her — information that could lead to her whereabouts from her cellphone, her social media activity or her bank records — has been almost nonexistent, police said. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 29 Aug. 2022 Marie got the painful answer to her husband's whereabouts but never got the chance to confront any of the people who had a hand in his death until Better Call Saul. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022 Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement immediately, and tips may be submitted via the USMS Tips app. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 July 2022 Family and friends of the Moormans had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to their whereabouts.CBS News, 14 July 2022 Family and friends of the Moormans had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to their whereabouts.Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adverb
Middle English wheraboutes (from wher aboute + -s, adverb suffix) & wher aboute, from where, wher where + about, aboute about — more at whence