for their return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for their return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of someone coming back or returning to a place or situation. Example: "We have prepared a celebration for their return from the overseas mission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A timetable for their return is unknown.

The New York Times - Sports

Will you be waiting for their return?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Martin has asked for their return.

The New York Times

Woodson said he had no timetable for their return.

The New York Times - Sports

Maclean believes the climate is right for their return.

The Guardian - Music

Turkey's foreign minister tweeted a demand for their return.

The Guardian

The band would later sue for their return, without success.

The New York Times - Arts

And what is the Dolls' motivation for their return?

The Guardian - Music

(He is offering a reward for their return).

The New York Times - Arts

I began to prepare the house for their return.

The New York Times

State police said they had no timetable for their return.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for their return" when you want to clearly indicate that something is being done or prepared in anticipation of someone's arrival back to a specific place or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "for their return" when "upon their return" or "on their return" would be more appropriate for a formal context, as the latter options can sometimes sound more polished in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their return" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating the reason or purpose behind an action or state, such as preparing or waiting. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for their return" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that expresses anticipation or preparation for someone's comeback. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate in various contexts, from news reports to more formal settings. While it's generally neutral, slightly more formal alternatives like "upon their return" exist. Understanding its purpose and context ensures its effective use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon their return

Changes the preposition to 'upon' for a slightly more formal tone.

on their return

Uses the preposition 'on' offering a slightly less formal alternative to 'upon'.

when they return

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a temporal clause.

after their return

Emphasizes the temporal sequence using 'after'.

for when they are back

Expresses the idea of returning with a slightly different phrasing.

in anticipation of their return

Highlights the expectation surrounding their return.

awaiting their return

Uses a participle phrase to describe waiting.

for their homecoming

Replaces 'return' with 'homecoming' implying a return to a place of origin or belonging.

towards their return

Indicates a movement or preparation related to their return.

as they come back

Uses a more conversational and less formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "for their return" in a sentence?

You can use "for their return" to indicate preparations or expectations related to someone's arrival. For instance, "I'm preparing the house /s/for+their+return" or "A celebration is planned /s/for+their+return".

What's the difference between "for their return" and "upon their return"?

While both phrases express anticipation of someone's arrival, "upon their return" is generally considered more formal than "for their return". The best option depends on the context and your desired tone.

What can I say instead of "for their return"?

You can use alternatives like "on their return", "upon their return", or "when they return", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "for their return" grammatically correct?

Yes, "for their return" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating purpose or anticipation.