"in return for" 是一个介词短语,表示“作为对……的回报/交换;以换取……”,强调“付出某事物是为了回应或交换另一事物”。
它的结构是 "in return for + 名词/代词/动名词短语"(因为 "for" 是介词,后接名词性成分),通常用于连接“付出的动作/事物”和“要换取的对象”。
1、 基本用法(接名词):
I gave him a bottle of wine in return for his help with my搬家.(我给了他一瓶酒,作为他帮我搬家的回报。)
They offered me free accommodation in return for teaching their kids English.(他们给我提供免费住宿,以换取我教他们孩子英语。)
2、 接动名词短语(介词后可接动名词):
She cooked dinner in return for me picking up her son from school.(她做了晚饭,作为我去学校接她儿子的回报。)
He lent me his car in return for using my bike next week.(他借我车,以换取下周用我的自行车。)
3、 简化表达(接代词):
I’ll do you a favor in return for yours last week.(我会帮你一个忙,作为你上周帮忙的回报。)
注意不要混淆 "in return for" 和 "in return":
"in return" 是副词短语,后面不接宾语,单独表示“作为回报/反过来”:
He helped me, and I gave him a gift in return.(他帮了我,我回赠了他一份礼物。)
"in return for" 是介词短语,后面必须接宾语,明确“回报的对象”:
I gave him a gift in return for his help.(我给了他一份礼物,作为对他帮助的回报。)
"in return for" 用于明确“交换/回报的具体对象”,核心逻辑是“用A换B”;而"in return" 仅表示“回报”这个动作,不具体说明回报的对象。
通过例子可以更直观理解:
我帮你,你用什么回报我?→ What will you give me in return for my help?
我帮你,你要回报我。→ I’ll help you, and you should do something in return.