as a return

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a return" is a commonly used expression in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is given or done in exchange for something else. For example: "The organization offered to plant a tree for every book returned, as a return for the library loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bernard also adds value as a return man.

The New York Times

Game point arrives as a return finds the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Windows 7 was hailed as a return to form before the problems of Windows 8.

Independent

Mr. Komisar's wife chose the Cohen book as a return gift.

The New York Times

Bamba described the teaching now known as Mouridism as a return to Islam's roots.

The Economist

Mr. Granoff has described "intuition" as a return to dancing after conceptual endeavors.

The New York Times - Arts

Gilmore has experience as a return man and as a blitzer.

The New York Times

The sisters describe "Heartache City," their newly released sixth album, as a return to their roots.

The New Yorker

But the end of freefall is not the same as a return to normalcy".

The New York Times

In no way can it be understood as a return to the origins of Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pogba's presence here had been widely trailed as a "return to Manchester".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a return", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being given or done in exchange. For example, "The company offered a discount as a return for the customer's loyalty" is more precise than "The company offered a discount as a return."

Common error

Avoid using "as a return" without specifying what benefit or exchange is expected. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "We expect improvements as a return", be specific: "We expect higher productivity as a return on our investment in training."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a return" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb. Ludwig shows that it indicates something given or received in exchange for something else. It expresses a reciprocal relationship or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a return" is a versatile phrase used to indicate what is given or received in exchange for something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains. To ensure clarity in writing, it is advisable to specify the object of the return. While alternatives like "in exchange for" or "in consideration of" exist, the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. The widespread use across reputable news sources, scientific publications, and business contexts suggests its appropriateness in many writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in exchange for

Focuses on the reciprocal nature of the action.

as recompense for

Highlights the idea of compensating for something lost or suffered.

in consideration of

Emphasizes that something is being done or given because of something else.

as a consequence of

Focuses on the result or effect of an action.

in response to

Highlights a reaction to a previous action or event.

by way of reciprocation

A more formal expression indicating a mutual exchange.

as a means of payback

Suggests a repayment, often for a perceived wrong.

as a result of

Indicates a direct consequence or outcome.

for the sake of restitution

Focuses on restoring something to its original state or compensating for a loss.

to give back

A simpler way to express the idea of returning something.

FAQs

How can I use "as a return" in a sentence?

You can use "as a return" to indicate what is given back or received in exchange for something else. For instance, "The investor expects profits as a return on their investment" or "The company offered a bonus "as a return for" their employees' hard work".

What can I say instead of "as a return"?

You can use alternatives like "in exchange for", "in consideration of", or "as recompense for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "The customer received a refund in exchange for the damaged product" or "The victim received compensation "as recompense for" their injuries".

Is it correct to say "as a return of" instead of "as a return"?

While grammatically sound, "as a return of" is less common than "as a return". It emphasizes the act of giving something back. Using "as a return" is generally more concise and widely accepted, but you can specify 'of' if you need to highlight the object being given back such as in a financial context, 'as a return of capital'.

What is the difference between "as a return" and "in return"?

"As a return" emphasizes the thing or benefit received, while "in return" emphasizes the action of giving something back. For example, "They offered a gift as a return for the favor" focuses on the gift, while "They offered a gift in return for the favor" focuses on their act of offering.