give a return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give a return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to providing a response, feedback, or a result, often in business or technical settings. Example: "Please give a return on your findings by the end of the week so we can proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We would not have been able to give a return to investors.

The Guardian

"A number of investment shops are putting up for sale companies they own, to rebalance their portfolio or to give a return to investors".

The New York Times

"Feed-in tariffs are being cut dramatically for projects after 1 January 2016, but not removed completely, and as the costs of installing solar have fallen sharply they should still give a return on investment," Ashford says.

The Guardian - Money

At the bottom of the screen, you can see the top half of Bergkamp's body as he charges forward, right arm raised, bellowing at Pires, who by now had lured two barcoded shirts, to give a return pass.

The Guardian - Sport

Benefit cost ratio being greater than unity 1.54 reaffirmed that processing plants are viable, and on average, the plants will give a return of 1.54 on every rupee investment on sun dried meat production.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

They need to see a return on their investment or at least salvage what money they can within about five to seven years so they can give a return to their investors.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At this stage it is too early to give a return-to-play date". Robson was replaced in the England squad to face Scotland on Saturday by Saracens half-back Ben Spencer, with fellow scrum-halves Danny Care and Richard Wigglesworth are also currently out through injury.

BBC

The Renewable Energy Association said that gave a return on investment of 9%, which they liked.

The Guardian

Santander Mexico gives a return on equity of almost 20% (see chart), about double the rates commonly found in Europe.

The Economist

You can choose to put your park ticket into a special turnstile to be given a return time.

The Guardian - Travel

A healthy property market allows players to invest in the Los Santos Golf Club for $150,000,000, which gives a return of $264,500 per week.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, clearly quantify the "return" as a percentage or monetary value to provide concrete information.

Common error

Avoid using "give a return" when a more specific term is appropriate, such as "provide feedback", "issue a refund", or "repay a loan", to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a return" functions as a verb phrase where "give" acts as the main verb and "a return" serves as the direct object. This construction is used to describe the act of providing or generating something, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give a return" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the act of providing a response or yield. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While the phrase is not overly common, its usage is appropriate across different domains. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure the "return" is clearly defined, particularly in investment discussions. Alternative phrases such as "provide a response" or "offer a yield" can provide more specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a response

Replaces "give" with "provide", focusing on the act of supplying an answer or feedback.

offer a yield

Substitutes "return" with "yield", specifically in financial or investment contexts.

present a result

Replaces "give a return" with "present a result", emphasizing the presentation of an outcome.

issue a refund

Replaces "give a return" with "issue a refund", referring specifically to returning money.

supply a repayment

Replaces "give a return" with "supply a repayment", emphasizing the act of paying something back.

extend a compliment

Replaces "give a return" with "extend a compliment", focusing on reciprocation in a social context.

grant a concession

Replaces "give a return" with "grant a concession", emphasizing the act of yielding a point.

repay a favor

Replaces "give a return" with "repay a favor", indicating reciprocal action.

reciprocate the gesture

Replaces "give a return" with "reciprocate the gesture", focusing on a reciprocal action or expression.

provide compensation

Replaces "give a return" with "provide compensation", indicating the act of offering restitution.

FAQs

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

You can use "give a return" to describe providing a response, feedback, or result. For example, "The investment should "give a return" within five years."

What's the difference between "give a return" and "provide a return"?

While similar, "provide a return" often implies a more formal or structured provision, whereas "give a return" can be more general. You could "provide a response" to a formal query, but you might "give feedback" informally.

What can I say instead of "give a return" when discussing investments?

In investment contexts, consider using alternatives like "offer a yield", "generate profit", or "produce income" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "give a return on investment"?

Yes, "give a return on investment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, meaning that the investment is expected to generate profit or yield.