in return for

USAGE SUMMARY

"in return for" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is given or received in exchange for something else. For example: Workers may receive a bonus in return for their hard work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In return for more Turkish oil engineers?

Independent

In return for what?

The New York Times - Books

rankings in return for bribes.

The New York Times - Sports

And in return for what?

The Washington Post

In return for this money, the I.M.F.

The New Yorker

In return for a $58 billion I.M.F.

The New York Times

Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

Yale University

God bless thee! in return for thy welcome tidings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What do I want in return for that?

Yale University

In return for their feedback, participants receive mobile money.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What they want in return for their money is fuzzy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in return for", ensure that both the offering and the benefit are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify exactly what actions or items are being exchanged.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by explicitly stating both the offering and the benefit when using "in return for". For example, instead of saying 'They offered help in return', specify 'They offered financial help in return for volunteer work' to avoid any misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in return for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or exchange for a particular action or offering. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase indicates a form of reciprocation or compensation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

32%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in return for" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an exchange or reciprocation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. To ensure clarity, it's best to explicitly state both the offering and the benefit. Ludwig's analysis indicates that its usage is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Common alternatives include "in exchange for" and "as compensation for". Avoid vagueness to prevent misinterpretations. With a high expert rating of 4.5, the phrase demonstrates strong grammatical correctness and consistency across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in exchange for

This alternative directly substitutes "return" with "exchange", emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the transaction or agreement.

as a quid pro quo for

This alternative emphasizes the direct and often explicit exchange of something for something else.

as a trade for

This option emphasizes a swap, implying a negotiation to exchange one thing for another.

as compensation for

This phrase highlights that something is being given to offset a loss, damage, or burden.

on the condition that

This phrase makes the exchange conditional and emphasizes the prerequisites for receiving something.

in consideration of

This option suggests a more formal or legal context where something is being provided as part of a binding agreement.

in acknowledgment of

This option indicates that something is given to recognize or show gratitude for something else received.

for the sake of

This alternative focuses on the benefit or advantage gained as the reason for offering something.

to get

This is a shorter and more direct way of expressing the intention to receive something.

to obtain

A simpler way to state the goal of acquiring something through an exchange.

FAQs

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

Use "in return for" to indicate an exchange or reciprocation. For example, "The company offered a bonus "in return for" increased productivity".

What are some alternatives to "in return for"?

You can use phrases like "in exchange for", "as compensation for", or "in consideration of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to use "in return for" or "in exchange for"?

"In exchange for" and ""in return for"" are generally interchangeable. However, "in consideration of" might be perceived as slightly more formal, often used in legal or business contexts.

Can "in return for" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, ""in return for"" can be used in negative contexts to describe unfavorable exchanges. For example, "The country received economic aid "in return for" political concessions".