The phrase “according to” is one of the most common ways English speakers reference a source, person, or authority.
It is used to show that an idea, statement, or piece of information comes from someone else rather than the speaker. For example, “According to the report, sales increased last quarter.”
While it is widely understood, relying solely on “according to” can make writing and speaking repetitive or rigid.
Choosing the right alternative can improve tone, clarity, and professionalism.
Using varied expressions also shows language flexibility, which is crucial in business communications, emails, academic writing, and casual conversation.
For instance, in a formal report, you might write: “As stated by the manager, the project is on schedule.” In an informal chat, you could say: “The manager says the project is on track.” Both convey the same idea, but the choice of words changes the tone and context.
What Does “According to” Mean?
According to is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the source of information, opinion, or statement. It signals that what follows reflects someone else’s words, report, or authority, not the speaker’s own idea.
- Grammar Form: Prepositional phrase
- Synonyms: As stated by, based on, in line with, per
- Opposites (informally): My view, I think, in my opinion
Sample Sentences:
- According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
- Based on the survey results, most employees prefer remote work.
When to Use “According to”
Spoken English:
- Use it when you refer to someone else’s opinion or report.
- Example: “According to Sarah, the movie was amazing.”
Business English:
- Suitable for referencing official reports, managers, or statistics.
- Example: “According to the quarterly report, profits have risen by 15%.”
Emails / Messages:
- Professional and polite, especially in formal emails.
- Example: “According to the client’s feedback, we should revise the proposal.”
Social Media:
- Can sound formal; informal alternatives like “as [someone] says” may work better.
- Example: “As John says, the new update is fantastic!”
Academic Writing:
- Standard for citing sources, data, and research.
- Example: “According to Smith (2020), climate change impacts are accelerating.”
Professional Meetings:
- Shows respect for authority and reliability of information.
- Example: “According to the finance team, our budget allocation is sufficient.”
Is “According to” Polite or Professional?
Tone Levels:
- Polite: Yes, neutral and respectful
- Neutral: Standard choice for most contexts
- Strong/Soft: Soft and professional
Formal vs Informal:
- Formal: Excellent for reports, emails, and meetings
- Informal: Can be replaced with “as [someone] says” or “per [source]”
Etiquette Tip:
- Preferred in workplace documents and academic writing
- Avoid overuse in casual texts, as it may sound stiff
Pros & Cons of Using “According to”
✔ Pros:
- Clearly attributes information
- Neutral, professional tone
- Widely understood across contexts
- Safe choice for academic and business writing
✘ Cons:
- Can sound repetitive
- Slightly formal for casual conversation
- Overused in reports and emails may reduce readability
Quick Alternatives List
- As stated by
- Per
- Based on
- In line with
- As reported by
- In the words of
- As mentioned by
- Following
- In accordance with
- As observed by
- According as
- As indicated by
- From the perspective of
- In the opinion of
- As detailed by
12 Main Alternatives to “According to”
1. As Stated By
Meaning: Expresses that the following information comes from someone’s statement.
Explanation: Directly references a source’s words; formal but natural.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “As stated by the manager, all deadlines must be met.”
Best Use: Formal reports, workplace emails, academic writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation (sounds stiff)
Tone: Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9
Replaceability Tip: Use when emphasizing exact statements from authority
2. Per
Meaning: “As told or instructed by.”
Explanation: Short, professional, often used in emails and memos.
Grammar Note: Preposition
Example Sentence: “Per the HR guidelines, all leave requests must be approved in advance.”
Best Use: Workplace emails, corporate documents
Worst Use: Spoken English (may sound abrupt)
Tone: Neutral/Professional
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Ideal for concise communication
3. Based On
Meaning: Reflects information derived from a source.
Explanation: Neutral, slightly less formal; conveys reasoning or evidence.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “Based on the survey, most customers prefer online support.”
Best Use: Reports, presentations, academic writing
Worst Use: Casual social conversation if overused
Tone: Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Use when highlighting evidence or reasoning
4. In Line With
Meaning: Conforms to or agrees with a source or guideline.
Explanation: Slightly formal, emphasizes alignment.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “In line with company policy, employees must complete safety training.”
Best Use: Workplace, academic, professional writing
Worst Use: Informal text messages
Tone: Formal/Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: When stressing agreement or compliance
5. As Reported By
Meaning: Information comes from a report or news source.
Explanation: Ideal for news, academic, or formal reporting.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “As reported by the BBC, the elections will be held next month.”
Best Use: Media, professional updates
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Use in journalism or academic references
6. In the Words Of
Meaning: Quoting someone directly or paraphrasing their view.
Explanation: Slightly more personal, elegant in academic writing.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “In the words of Einstein, imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Best Use: Academic writing, speeches, essays
Worst Use: Emails or casual chat
Tone: Formal/Neutral
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Use for quotations or emphasis on source
7. As Mentioned By
Meaning: Refers to a previously stated idea or source.
Explanation: Polite and professional; softer than “according to.”
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “As mentioned by the CEO, sustainability is a key focus.”
Best Use: Workplace updates, emails
Worst Use: Overly casual speech
Tone: Formal/Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9
Replaceability Tip: Good for ongoing discussion references
8. Following
Meaning: After or in accordance with a source or guideline.
Explanation: Can imply action or instruction; formal.
Grammar Note: Preposition / participle
Example Sentence: “Following the audit report, several changes were implemented.”
Best Use: Reports, workplace memos
Worst Use: Informal chat
Tone: Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Best when describing actions based on a source
9. In Accordance With
Meaning: Fully aligns with rules, laws, or guidance.
Explanation: Very formal; often legal or business context.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “In accordance with company policy, employees must submit weekly reports.”
Best Use: Legal documents, formal reports
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal/Professional
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Use in compliance or formal writing
10. As Observed By
Meaning: Refers to someone’s observation or study.
Explanation: Slightly formal; conveys analysis or opinion.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “As observed by the researcher, the species adapts quickly.”
Best Use: Academic, scientific writing
Worst Use: Informal conversation
Tone: Formal/Professional
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: When citing findings or observations
11. From the Perspective Of
Meaning: Shows point of view of a person or group.
Explanation: Highlights subjective viewpoint; less formal.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “From the perspective of the client, the project is behind schedule.”
Best Use: Workplace discussions, essays
Worst Use: Casual texting (may sound heavy)
Tone: Neutral/Formal
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7
Replaceability Tip: Use when discussing opinions or perspectives
12. As Indicated By
Meaning: Signals that a source points out or suggests something.
Explanation: Professional; often used in business or technical writing.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: “As indicated by the data, customer satisfaction has improved.”
Best Use: Reports, presentations, workplace emails
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal/Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8
Replaceability Tip: Use to point to evidence or guidance
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Dialogue:
A: “According to the report, sales are up this quarter.”
B: “Yes, as indicated by the analytics team, revenue exceeded projections.”
Informal Dialogue:
A: “According to Mike, the party starts at 8.”
B: “Cool, as he said, I’ll be there by 8.”
Business Email Example:
Subject: Quarterly Review
Dear Team,
As stated by management, all project deadlines must be updated in the tracker by Friday.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing according to in the same paragraph.
- Using it in casual speech where simpler alternatives work.
- Mixing it with first-person statements incorrectly (“According to me” – not standard).
- Using it without a clear source (“According to, sales are up”).
- Misplacing commas after according to.
- Confusing formal and informal alternatives.
- Using overly complex phrases in beginner writing.
Cultural & Tone Tips
- UK English: Slightly more formal, prefers “as stated by” or “in accordance with.”
- US English: Flexible; “according to” is common in casual and professional writing.
- Casual Social English: Replace with “says,” “told me,” or “as [someone] says” to sound natural.
Comparison Table of Best Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As stated by | Formal | Reports, emails | High | As stated by the manager, deadlines are strict. |
| Per | Neutral | Emails, memos | Medium | Per HR guidelines, leave must be approved. |
| Based on | Neutral | Reports, research | Medium | Based on the data, trends are improving. |
| In line with | Formal | Workplace, policy | High | In line with company policy, wear ID badges. |
| As reported by | Formal | News, academic writing | High | As reported by Reuters, elections are upcoming. |
FAQs
Is “according to” rude?
No, it is neutral and polite.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, especially professional or formal emails.
What is the most formal alternative?
In accordance with is very formal, ideal for legal or corporate contexts.
What is the most polite alternative?
As stated by is soft and polite.
What should beginners use?
Based on or as [someone] says are easy and natural.
Can I use it in casual conversation?
Yes, but simpler phrases like “says” or “told me” sound more natural.
Conclusion
Expanding your vocabulary beyond “according to” improves clarity, fluency, and professionalism.
Using alternatives allows you to match tone to context, whether in academic writing, emails, or casual conversation.
Practice these phrases in real situations to sound confident, natural, and versatile in English.
Varied word choice not only strengthens communication but also leaves a positive impression in professional and social contexts.
Ethan Cole is a passionate language enthusiast dedicated to making English learning simple and enjoyable.