according to someone

USAGE SUMMARY

"according to someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a statement or opinion made by someone else. For example, "According to Doctor Smith, eating a healthy diet is the key to a long and happy life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

James "practically cross-examined" the lawyers who prepared the audit, according to someone in the room.

The New York Times - Sports

So far the purchase appears quite limited, according to someone who monitors political advertising.

The New York Times

"This is not what we do," Obama said, according to someone in the room.

The New York Times

"Every neighbor hated him," according to someone who knew him well.

The New York Times - Books

According to someone familiar with the transaction, the collateral was, essentially, the whole company.

The New Yorker

But, according to someone who was present, he added, "My heart's with you".

The New Yorker

According to someone who knows Powell, his comment about the article was terse.

The New Yorker

The investors valued the company at $280 million, according to someone briefed on the funding.

The New York Times

According to someone close to the discussions, they initially assumed they could hide behind the French.

The Economist

The acquisition is valued at more than $70 million, according to someone close to the deal.

The New York Times

According to someone close to the company, Mr. Suria's report was made available to Amazon yesterday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "according to someone" to introduce information that may not be verifiable or is based on personal accounts, acknowledging the limited reliability.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "according to someone" without providing additional context or justification. If possible, offer some detail about the source's position or expertise to lend credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to someone" functions as an attribution phrase. It introduces information or opinions that originate from an unspecified source. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and serves to distance the speaker from direct endorsement of the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "according to someone" is a common and grammatically sound way to attribute information to an unspecified source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where maintaining source anonymity may be crucial. While useful, it's important to provide context or justification for not naming the source directly, to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "reportedly" or "sources say" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and the number of sources involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person familiar with the matter stated

A more formal way to indicate someone with direct knowledge provided the information.

sources say

Attributes the information to multiple unnamed sources, suggesting broader consensus.

an insider revealed

Indicates the information comes from someone with inside knowledge, suggesting greater reliability.

one source indicated

More formal and precise way to attribute information, implying a single, distinct source.

reportedly

Implies the information comes from a report or unconfirmed source, adding a degree of uncertainty.

it is said that

Presents the information as a widely circulated belief or rumor.

allegedly

Indicates the information is an unproven allegation.

someone mentioned

A more casual way to indicate the source provided the information in passing.

word has it

Expresses the information as common knowledge or hearsay.

i heard that

Informal way to share information from an unspecified source.

FAQs

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

Use "according to someone" to attribute information to an unnamed source, like: "According to someone close to the investigation, the suspect had an alibi."

What are some alternatives to "according to someone"?

Alternatives include "reportedly", "sources say", or "it is said that". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to name the source instead of saying "according to someone"?

Naming the source directly is generally preferable for credibility. Use "according to someone" when you cannot reveal the source's identity or when the source's specific identity is unimportant.

When is it appropriate to use "according to someone" in writing?

It's appropriate when you need to convey information without revealing your source, often to protect their identity or when the source is not the primary focus of the information. Make sure you don't overuse this construction.