according to how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to how" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that explains the manner in which something is being done or evaluated. Example: "According to how well the students perform on the final exam, their grades will be determined." In this sentence, "according to how" shows the relationship between the students' performance and the determination of their grades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The brain is changing according to how we use it.

University of California, Berkeley

Overture ranks ads according to how much advertisers bid.

The Economist

Rankings vary enormously according to how they are calculated.

The New York Times

Payment increases according to how hazardous the work is.

The Guardian

They sell according to how much gory detail they contain.

The Guardian - Books

We have categorised MEPs according to how they voted.

The Guardian

Half balloons reverse profiles according to how the wind blows.

The New York Times - Arts

Different levels of impact were found according to how much training the participants had received.

Procedia Engineering

In other word, cut your carbs according to how high your reading is.

Harvard University

The survey ranks businesses according to how well people say they understand them and their products.

Independent

I choose my parts according to how much time they'll take.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "according to how" to clearly link a decision, action, or outcome to a specific method or condition. For instance, "The price fluctuates according to how much demand there is."

Common error

Avoid using "according to how" when simply stating a fact without a conditional relationship. Incorrect: "According to how the sky is blue." Correct: "The amount of sunscreen needed varies according to how strong the sun is."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to how" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that specifies the manner or condition by which something is determined or carried out. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. This expression sets a conditional or dependent relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "according to how" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to establish a conditional relationship between actions, decisions, or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly employed across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing, though slightly more prevalent in news and media. While "according to how" is generally neutral in tone, related phrases like "in accordance with how" offer a more formal alternative. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a conditional relationship to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on how

Replaces "according to" with "depending on", emphasizing the conditional aspect.

based on how

Focuses on the foundation or rationale upon which something is determined.

in accordance with how

Adds formality and precision, suitable for official or legal contexts.

consistent with how

Highlights alignment or agreement with a particular method or approach.

relative to how

Indicates a comparative relationship, showing how something changes in relation to something else.

as determined by how

Emphasizes the process of determination or measurement.

contingent on how

Highlights the conditional nature of the outcome.

reflective of how

Indicates that something is a representation or result of a particular process.

as per how

A slightly more informal alternative to 'according to', still indicating a set of rules or guidelines are being followed.

in relation to how

Expresses a comparison or connection between two or more things based on a specific process.

FAQs

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

Use "according to how" to show a relationship between an action, decision or outcome that depends on a particular method or condition. For example: "The dosage is adjusted "depending on how" the patient responds to the initial treatment".

What are some alternatives to using "according to how"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""depending on how"", "based on how", or "in accordance with how" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "according to how" in formal writing?

Yes, "according to how" is appropriate for formal writing. However, in very formal contexts, "in accordance with how" may be preferred for added precision.

What's the difference between "according to how" and "based on how"?

"According to how" emphasizes following a specific method or guideline, while "based on how" focuses on the rationale or foundation for a decision. Both are correct, but the nuance differs.