According to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "According to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to attribute information or opinions to a source, such as a person, organization, or document. Example: "According to the latest research, climate change is accelerating at an alarming rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to ABC, "G.M.A".

The New York Times

According to the L.S.E.

The New York Times

According to Mr.

The New York Times

According to a G.A.O.

The New York Times

According to the W.H.O.

The New York Times

According to an F.B.I.

The New York Times

According to P.S.G.

The New York Times

According to these B.G.F.

The New Yorker

According to an N.Y.U.

The New York Times

According to whom?

The Economist

According to Sen. Geo.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "According to", always cite the specific source to maintain credibility and avoid plagiarism. For instance, use "According to a study by the National Institute of Health..." rather than a vague reference.

Common error

Avoid using "According to sources" without specifying the exact origin of the information. This weakens your statement and reduces trust in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "According to" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing information attributed to a specific source. It signals that the following statement is based on the authority or statement of someone or something else. As shown by Ludwig, it is highly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "According to" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that attributes information to a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency is very common. The phrase is primarily used in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. For best practices, always cite specific sources to maintain credibility. Avoid vague attributions. Related phrases include "As stated by" and "Based on the statement of". Understanding the function and usage patterns of "According to" enhances clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As stated by

This option provides a direct synonym, focusing on the act of stating something.

Based on the statement of

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the foundation of the information on a specific statement.

Citing

This alternative is more commonly used in academic or formal writing, directly pointing to a source.

On the authority of

This phrase adds weight to the statement by emphasizing the credibility of the source.

In the opinion of

This phrase highlights that the information is someone's belief or judgment, rather than a confirmed fact.

Referring to

This suggests the information is being drawn from a source without necessarily endorsing it.

Drawing from

This suggests that the information is being extracted or inferred from a particular source.

Taking into account

This phrase indicates consideration of a source, rather than direct quotation or attribution.

Following the lead of

This implies the adoption of a method or idea from another source.

In compliance with

This phrase shows conformity to rules or regulations, rather than simply relaying information.

FAQs

How do I use "According to" in a sentence?

Use "According to" to attribute information to a specific source. For example, "According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow."

What can I say instead of "According to"?

You can use alternatives like "as stated by", "based on the statement of", or "in the opinion of" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to cite a source after using "According to"?

Yes, it's crucial to cite the source after using "According to" to give credit and maintain credibility. For example, "According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine..."

What's the difference between using "According to" and "In my opinion"?

"According to" presents information from an external source, while "In my opinion" presents your personal viewpoint. Use "According to" when referencing others' statements and "in my opinion" when expressing your own thoughts.