for what return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for what return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expected benefits or outcomes of an action or investment. Example: "Before making any decisions, we need to consider for what return we are investing our resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And for what return?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What if, for instance, someone asked what return I got in 2016?

Vice

For example, what returned to the query "Amazon #phone" are the phone numbers of Amazon.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Research your name online and see what returns for it.

WikiHow

The next time and temperature setting the thermostat will request is for what time you return home during the week.

WikiHow

They insisted they had been honestly trying to broker the return of the 500-year-old painting – ofe onlynly two Da Vinci paintings in private hands – in return for what they believed was a fair reward.

The Guardian - Arts

In return for what?

The New York Times - Books

Maybe this is what he had in mind for me, in return for what he took.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, I am completely unprepared for what happens when I return from taking Holy Communion.

The New Yorker

Protesters vowed they would return for what is the latest battle to reclaim Berlin from developers.

The Guardian

He'll get Joe into the Justice Department, but in return for what?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "for what return", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being given or invested to warrant the return. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "for what return" when a simpler phrase like "why" or "what's the purpose" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in inappropriate contexts can make your writing sound unnatural or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for what return" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, typically used to question the value or benefit received in exchange for something given or invested. Ludwig provides examples of it being used in contexts questioning investments and sacrifices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for what return" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to question the expected benefits or advantages from an investment or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness but indicates its relative infrequency. While grammatically sound, the phrase is not particularly common and leans toward neutral to formal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, as well as wiki and science-related content. Alternative phrases, such as ""in exchange for what"" or ""what do you get in return"", may be more suitable for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in exchange for what

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the exchange, highlighting the 'giving' aspect more strongly.

what do you get in return

Poses the question more directly, focusing on the received benefit.

what's the benefit

Simplifies the question to focus solely on the advantage gained.

what is the advantage

Similar to 'what's the benefit' but may imply a more strategic or competitive gain.

what's the purpose

Shifts the focus from the return to the overall aim or intention.

what are the expected gains

Focuses on the anticipated profits or improvements.

what are the anticipated outcomes

Similar to "what are the expected gains" but is more comprehensive in its view.

what's the quid pro quo

A more formal and potentially transactional way of asking about the return.

what is the compensation

Implies a formal agreement or arrangement for something done.

at what cost

Implies an equivalence between cost and return, generally used when the value of the initial offering is not monetary.

FAQs

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

Use "for what return" to inquire about the benefits or advantages expected from a particular action or investment. For example: "They are investing heavily in this project, but "for what return"?"

What's a more common way to say "for what return"?

Alternatives include "in exchange for what", "what do you get in return", or simply "what's the benefit" depending on the context.

Is "for what return" formal or informal?

"For what return" tends to be somewhat formal. Simpler phrases like "what do we get" might be preferred in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "for what return" and "what is the purpose"?

"For what return" specifically implies an expectation of something gained in exchange, whereas "what is the purpose" focuses more broadly on the overall aim or goal.