according

USAGE SUMMARY

'according' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb meaning in agreement or in harmony with something and is used to indicate that something is true due to the facts that are known. Example sentence: According to the USDA, an adult needs to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to religious Muslim attire.

The Guardian

According to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), the cost of a Milton Keynes season ticket has risen 23.5%, or £930, since January 2010 and is one of a number of fares that have increased around four times more than average wages over this five-year period.

The Guardian

Everything will be covered but there will be some flexibility in shifting things around according to the flow of the workshops and the needs of the students.

The Guardian

Turkmenistan is among the most corrupt and repressive countries on earth, according to watchdogs.

The Guardian

According to the New York Times, 30 specialists from the state department, FBI and Pentagon, with medical, intelligence, counter-terrorism and communications expertise, have been sent to Nigeria.

The Guardian

George Osborne's proposed "cuts" in national insurance contributions will cost about £5.6bn, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The Guardian

Since 2011, United has piled up a mountain of consumer complaints (according to one report, only Spirit has more per passenger) and has repeatedly tallied some of the worst quality rankings in the nation, trailing even discount airlines like Frontier and AirTran.

The Economist

Fewer than 100 cases of Ebola have been reported in west Africa in the last week, according to the World Health Organisation, which says the outbreak has now effectively moved into the endgame.

The Guardian

Piras, who hailed from the town of Ittiri on the Mediterranean island, co-founded an olive oil and wine cooperative and was tasked with marketing its goods for export, the AP reported according to Italian media.

The Guardian

At the end of April, Heitkamp introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate to re-write the rule, with the backing of other Democratic senators, including Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, which produces around 15% of America's fossil fuel energy, according to the region's department of commerce.

The Guardian

According to a "well-informed source", it "was not her strategy for world peace" that snared Clooney (obviously not – intellect is repulsive in a woman): it was that she "played hard to get".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according", ensure you clearly state the source to lend credibility to your statement. For example, "According to The New York Times..."

Common error

Avoid using "according" without specifying the source. It can lead to confusion or weaken the credibility of your claim. Always clarify "according to whom?"

Linguistic Context

"According" primarily functions as an adverb, indicating that a statement or action is in agreement or conformity with something else. As Ludwig AI explains, it signals that information is true based on known facts. Numerous examples in Ludwig demonstrate this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according" is a versatile adverb predominantly used to attribute information or actions to a specific source, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news, formal, and scientific contexts. When using "according", it is essential to clearly specify the source to maintain credibility. While there are various alternatives, the primary function remains consistent: linking information to its origin. The frequency of "according" is very common, indicating its widespread use across diverse forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in accordance with

Indicates conformity or compliance with a rule, law, or principle.

pursuant to

Suggests acting in compliance with a specific legal or procedural requirement.

consistent with

Implies agreement or alignment with a set of standards, principles, or expectations.

as stated by

Attributes information or an opinion directly to a named source.

as reported by

Indicates information originating from a report, often implying investigation or data collection.

conforming to

Highlights adherence to a particular standard or pattern.

corresponding to

Emphasizes a parallel or matching relationship between two or more things.

in line with

Suggests agreement or alignment, often in terms of policy or strategy.

relative to

Indicates a connection or proportion, often when comparing different aspects or measures.

depending on

Specifies that a result or situation is contingent upon certain factors or conditions.

FAQs

How do you use "according" in a sentence?

Use "according" to introduce information attributed to a specific source. For example, "According to the report, sales have increased."

What can I say instead of "according to"?

You can use alternatives like "in accordance with", "as stated by", or "consistent with depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "according"?

Use "according" when you want to attribute information or an opinion to a specific source, lending credibility or indicating the origin of the information.

What's the difference between "according to" and "in accordance with"?

"According to" is generally used to cite a source of information, while "in accordance with" suggests compliance or conformity with rules or guidelines.