in return
in return — idiom
1. as a way of paying back, thanking, or reacting to something that another person
as a way of paying back, thanking, or reacting to something that another person has first given or done for you.
Naoko helped Diego move house, and he cooked her dinner in return.
do something in return as a thank-you
The village offered the doctor free rooms in return for weekend clinics.
in return for + service received
Talia lent her notes to a classmate and asked for nothing in return.
When Femi smiled and waved, the children waved back in return.
The company gave staff extra holidays in return for their hard work.
- in exchange
stresses that one thing is swapped for another of similar value
- in response
focuses on reacting to an action, with no idea of repayment
- as a reward
used when the response is given to recognise good behaviour or effort
文法句型
give/offer/do something in return
in return for + noun
ask for nothing in return
用法筆記
Place 'in return' at the end of a clause to mark a response to an earlier action. Add 'for' plus a noun when you want to name the thing being repaid or exchanged.
常見錯誤
Incorrect: 'She gave me a gift in return of my help.' Correct: 'She gave me a gift in return for my help.' — use 'for', not 'of', before the thing received.
Incorrect: 'He helped me, so I thanked him in returning.' Correct: 'He helped me, so I thanked him in return.' — the fixed phrase is 'in return', never 'in returning'.