in return of

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'in return of' is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
You should replace it with 'in return for' or 'in exchange for'. For example: She gave him a gift in exchange for his help.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luke cutting Vader's hand off in Return of the Jedi.

The Guardian - Opinion

He received loud shouts in return of "Mexico".

The Guardian

Pediatric Issues in Return of Results and Incidental Findings: Weighing Autonomy and Best Interests.

Harvard University

Fastidious replies in return of this question with firm arguments and describing everything concerning that.

University of California, Berkeley

The Germans have a word for the quality that I missed in Return of the King.

The Guardian - Film

In return, of course, you get more space in the Honda for both people and cargo.

The New York Times

In return, of course, the 25 Schengen countries are supposed to protect their "external" frontiers.

The New York Times

Renewal has been implicated as one of the underlying mechanisms in return of fear following exposure therapy.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

As this article puts it, the French striker is currently starring in Return of the Sulk (Partie Cinq).

The Guardian

In an open letter to Mr Taylor, he accused him in return of being "extremist" and "insulting".

The Economist

William Dalrymple, a British historian, recounts Britain's early misadventures in Afghanistan in "Return of a King", a masterful history.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about reciprocal actions, use "in return for" instead of "in return of". For example, "He offered help in return for payment" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "in return". The correct preposition is "for". Using "of" creates a grammatically incorrect phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in return of" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It is intended to introduce what is given or received as a result of something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in return of" appears frequently in diverse sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "in return for". Ludwig AI underscores this grammatical inaccuracy. When aiming to express reciprocity or exchange, it is advisable to use "in return for" or other alternatives like "in exchange for" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in exchange for

Indicates a direct swap or trade of one thing for another.

in return

Shorter form, often used adverbially to indicate a reciprocal action.

as a quid pro quo

Implies a more formal or transactional exchange, often with a sense of obligation.

for

A simple preposition indicating what is received for something given.

in compensation for

Highlights the idea of making amends or providing something to offset a loss or service.

in consideration of

Used in legal or formal contexts to acknowledge something of value given in exchange for something else.

to reciprocate

Focuses on the act of giving something back in response to something received.

in lieu of

Suggests something is offered as a substitute or alternative.

in place of

Indicates that one thing is being used or offered instead of another.

for the sake of

Highlights the reason or benefit for which something is done or given.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "in return of"?

The correct phrasing is "in return for". For example, "I will help you "in return for" your assistance later".

What can I use instead of "in return of"?

You can use alternatives like "in exchange for", "in return", or simply "for" depending on the context.

Is "in return of" grammatically correct?

No, "in return of" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "in return for". Using "of" in this context is a common error.

What's the difference between "in return for" and "in exchange for"?

While both phrases express reciprocity, "in exchange for" often implies a more direct and equal swap, whereas ""in return for"" can be a broader expression of reciprocation.