According to him

USAGE SUMMARY

"According to him" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to introduce a statement made by someone else. For example: "According to him, the best way to solve the problem is to make a list of all the relevant factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to him, that is.

The Guardian - Books

According to him, there would be a blank word.

The Economist

According to him, the jellyfish is, consequently, "immortal".

The New York Times - Magazine

According to him, Russian capitulation was never in doubt.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to him, to pull out is to accept defeat.

The New York Times

According to him, the problem lay with Ms. Mulzac.

The New York Times

According to him, I was not his victim.

The Guardian

According to him, she was "unfazed" by this.

The Guardian - Film

According to him, it can be likened to national service.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to him, she is "made uncomfortable by A.A".

The New Yorker

According to him, patents should incentivize disclosure.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according to him", ensure it's clear who 'him' refers to, especially in complex sentences with multiple individuals mentioned. Proper noun use is recommended to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "according to him" when the subject's gender is ambiguous or unknown, it's better to use a gender-neutral alternative like "according to them" or rewrite the sentence to clearly state the speaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to him" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement, opinion, or belief attributed to a specific male individual. It serves to indicate the source of information, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

29%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to him" is a very common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to attribute statements or opinions to a male individual. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and frequency across various sources. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity regarding who 'him' refers to and to consider gender-neutral alternatives when appropriate. The phrase finds frequent use in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In his view

Substitutes "according to" with "in", offering a more concise expression of someone's personal perspective.

From his perspective

Highlights the subjective nature of the statement, emphasizing it's based on his individual viewpoint.

He says that

A simpler, more direct way of attributing a statement to him.

His version is that

Implies there might be alternative accounts or interpretations of the same events.

As he sees it

Emphasizes his personal understanding or interpretation of a situation.

If you ask him

Suggests the information is readily available by directly seeking his opinion.

His claim is

Highlights a statement he asserts, potentially implying it could be debated or verified.

In his estimation

Highlights that it's the person's considered judgement, often implying expertise or careful consideration.

According to his account

Highlights the narrative or report provided, indicating this explanation is just one version of events.

He believes that

Focuses on personal belief rather than a publicly stated fact.

FAQs

How can I use "according to him" in a sentence?

Use "according to him" to introduce a statement, belief, or opinion that someone has expressed. For example, "According to him, the company's profits will increase next quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "according to him"?

You can use alternatives like "in his view", "from his perspective", or "he says that" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify "according to him" when stating someone's opinion?

No, it's not always necessary. If it's clear from the context whose opinion you're sharing, you can simply state the opinion without attribution. However, "according to him" is useful when you want to emphasize that it's someone's personal belief or claim.

How does "according to him" differ from "according to her"?

"According to him" is used when the person being referenced is male, while "according to her" is used when the person is female. The choice depends on the gender of the individual you are quoting or referencing.