0
HUBLOT Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Whereabouts [singular, plural]

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/whereabouts
whereabouts
the place where someone or something is: can be followed by a singular or plural verb


http://bit.ly/vNqa27
The whereabouts of Shalabayev are unknown, but he is apparently due to give evidence during the current hearing via a video link from a secret location.

The word "whereabouts" can be followed by a singular or plural verb, so I don't think that "The whereabouts of Shalabayev are..." is grammatically wrong. However, which would be more common to say, "The whereabouts of a person is..." or "The whereabouts of a person are..."?

No one can exist simultaneously at different places; therefore, would it be appropriate to consider whereabouts as a singular noun?
  

Top answer

HUBLOT No one can exist simultaneously at different places; therefore, would it be appropriate to consider whereabouts as a singular noun? While "whereabouts" can refer either to a single person or thing, or many persons or things, the form of the noun is undoubtedly plural. I believe that "are" is much more common in combination with "whereabouts" than "is" but , as you say, they're both possible.

— Ivanhr

  • HUBLOT No one can exist simultaneously at different places; therefore, would it be appropriate to consider whereabouts as a singular noun?
  • While "whereabouts" can refer either to a single person or thing, or many persons or things, the form of the noun is undoubtedly plural.
  • I believe that "are" is much more common in combination with "whereabouts" than "is" but , as you say, they're both possible.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
HUBLOT
No one can exist simultaneously at different places; therefore, would it be appropriate to consider whereabouts as a singular noun?
While "whereabouts" can refer either to a single person or thing, or many persons or things, the form of the noun is undoubtedly plural. I believe that "are" is much more common in combination with "whereabouts" than "
0
0

Related Questions