he in return

USAGE SUMMARY

"he in return" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations where someone does something for someone else, who in turn does something for them. For example: "John bought Mary a gift, and she in return baked him a cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He, in return, condemns them.

The Guardian

He, in return, rages at them for not knowing the right answers and whizzes on to the next person.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He in return said with almost touching modesty: "I have been married to one of the greatest women the world has ever produced.

Independent

In the surrounding woods, Moran's fellow Western tutors regularly burn effigies of him and he, in return, subjects them to inflammatory character sketches: an Oxford graduate has "marvellous wit but bruised emotions", a Morris dancing tutor from Dorset is "chronically indecisive".

The Guardian - Travel

He, in return, gently reflected the glow back on Steve and made it all his own.

Huffington Post

Authorities determined that the information that he in return provided was false, because the house had not yet been built at the time of Holloway's disappearance.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He visits her in return.

The Guardian - Books

All he wanted in return, he said, was a percentage of the money seized.

The New Yorker

And what might he demand in return?

The New York Times

What has he got in return?

The Economist

And what had he received in return?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he in return" to clearly show a direct and reciprocal action between two subjects. Ensure the context establishes what was initially given or done to warrant the returning action.

Common error

Avoid using "he in return" when the action isn't a direct response to something previously done for him. The phrase implies a clear cause-and-effect relationship where his action is a direct consequence of someone else's.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he in return" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating a reciprocal action performed by a male subject as a response to a prior action. Ludwig confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he in return" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to indicate reciprocal action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in standard English. It frequently appears in news media, encyclopedia articles and wikis, serving to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship where a male subject performs an action as a direct consequence of something done for him. While alternatives like "he reciprocated" and "he repaid the favor" exist, "he in return" offers a clear and direct means of conveying reciprocity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in return, he

Changes the word order while keeping the meaning intact.

he repaid the favor

Specifically refers to returning a good deed or assistance.

he reciprocated

Focuses specifically on the act of returning a favor or action.

he answered in kind

Emphasizes that the response was similar in nature or intensity to the initial action.

he responded accordingly

Highlights the appropriateness of the response to the initial action or situation.

he gave back

A simpler, more direct way of saying he returned something.

as a recompense, he

Recompense means repayment or compensation.

he counteracted

Highlights a response that opposes or neutralizes an earlier action.

his riposte was

Emphasizes the quick and witty nature of his response.

he followed suit

Indicates he imitated or acted similarly.

FAQs

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

Use "he in return" to show a direct, reciprocal action. For example, "She helped him with his work, and "he in return" offered to help her move."

What can I say instead of "he in return"?

You can use alternatives like "he reciprocated", "he answered in kind", or "he repaid the favor" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "he in return" and "in return he"?

"He in return" emphasizes the subject performing the reciprocal action, while "in return he" places more emphasis on the act of returning or reciprocating itself. Both are grammatically sound but offer a slightly different focus.

Is "he in return" formal or informal?

The phrase "he in return" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.