How to Use ‘according to’ in a Sentence

The phrase according to is used to show that a piece of information comes from a source, such as a person, a document, a study, or a rule. It means “as stated by” or “as reported by.” You use it to give credit to the origin of the information, not to state your own opinion. For example, you can say, “According to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow.” This tells the reader that the weather report is the source of the rain prediction.

Quick Answer: How to Use ‘according to’

Use according to + a noun or noun phrase that represents the source. The source can be a person (according to Dr. Smith), a document (according to the contract), a study (according to a recent survey), or a rule (according to the school policy). Do not use it with your own opinion or with words like “me” or “my view.”

Understanding the Core Meaning

The main job of according to is to attribute information. It separates the speaker from the source. This is very useful in academic writing, news reports, and professional emails because it shows that you are reporting facts or opinions from others, not making claims yourself. The tone is generally neutral and formal, though it can be used in everyday conversation when citing a specific source.

Formal vs. Informal Tone

According to is more common in formal writing and speech. In casual conversation, people often use simpler phrases like “someone said” or “I heard that.” For example:

• Formal: According to the company policy, all employees must wear identification badges.
• Informal: The boss said we have to wear our badges.

In academic essays, business reports, and news articles, according to is the standard choice. In a text message to a friend, it might sound too stiff.

Email vs. Conversation Context

In professional emails, according to is very common. You might write: “According to the client’s feedback, we need to revise the proposal.” In a face-to-face conversation, you could say the same thing, but it might sound a little formal. A more natural spoken version would be: “The client said we need to revise the proposal.”

Common Nuance: Not for Your Own Ideas

A key rule is that you cannot use according to to introduce your own belief or opinion. For example, “According to me, this is a good idea” is incorrect. Instead, say “In my opinion, this is a good idea” or “I think this is a good idea.” The phrase is reserved for external sources.

Comparison Table: ‘according to’ vs. Similar Phrases

Natural Examples of ‘according to’ in Sentences

Here are examples that show how according to works in different real-life situations.

Academic Writing

• According to the study published in 2023, regular exercise improves memory.
• According to the textbook, the Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th century.
• According to Professor Lee, the experiment must be repeated for accurate results.

News and Reports

• According to the news, the storm will reach the coast by midnight.
• According to a government report, unemployment has fallen by 2%.
• According to the survey, 70% of participants prefer online shopping.

Workplace and Email

• According to the meeting notes, the deadline is next Friday.
• According to the manager, we need to submit the budget by Tuesday.
• According to the company handbook, vacation requests must be approved in advance.

Everyday Conversation

• According to my sister, the new restaurant has great pasta.
• According to the sign, the store closes at 9 PM.
• According to the recipe, you need two cups of flour.

Common Mistakes with ‘according to’

Even advanced learners sometimes make errors with this phrase. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using ‘according to’ with your own opinion

Incorrect: According to me, the plan is risky.
Correct: In my opinion, the plan is risky.
Why: According to is for external sources, not yourself.

Mistake 2: Using ‘according to’ with a verb or clause directly

Incorrect: According to the report says, the economy is growing.
Correct: According to the report, the economy is growing.
Why: According to is followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a full clause with a verb. The verb comes after the comma.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the comma

Incorrect: According to the teacher the test is easy.
Correct: According to the teacher, the test is easy.
Why: A comma usually follows the source phrase when it starts the sentence.

Mistake 4: Using ‘according to’ for general knowledge

Incorrect: According to science, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Better: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. (This is a fact, not an opinion from a specific source.)
Why: Use according to when the source is specific or needs attribution. For well-known facts, it is unnecessary.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes according to is not the best choice. Here are alternatives for different situations.

• In my opinion / I think – Use when giving your own view. Example: “I think the proposal needs more work.”
• Based on – Use when the source is data or evidence. Example: “Based on the test results, the product is safe.”
• As stated by – A more formal alternative. Example: “As stated by the CEO, the company will expand.”
• Per – A short, formal alternative often used in instructions. Example: “Per the guidelines, all forms must be signed.”
• In accordance with – Very formal, used for rules or laws. Example: “In accordance with the law, all drivers must wear seatbelts.”

Choose according to when you want to clearly name a specific source. Use alternatives when the source is less specific or when you want a different tone.

Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding

Complete each sentence with the correct phrase: according to, in my opinion, or based on. Answers are below.

1. __________ the weather app, it will be sunny tomorrow.
2. __________, this is the best movie of the year.
3. __________ the evidence, the suspect was at the scene.
4. __________ the instructions, press the button twice.

Answers

1. According to the weather app, it will be sunny tomorrow. (Source is the app.)
2. In my opinion, this is the best movie of the year. (This is your personal view.)
3. Based on the evidence, the suspect was at the scene. (The source is evidence, not a direct statement.)
4. According to the instructions, press the button twice. (Source is a document.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use ‘according to’ at the end of a sentence?

Yes, but it is less common. For example: “The meeting is at 3 PM, according to the email.” This is grammatically correct, but placing it at the beginning is more typical and clearer.

2. Is ‘according to’ always followed by a comma?

When according to starts a sentence, a comma usually follows the source phrase. Example: “According to the doctor, rest is important.” If it appears later in the sentence, commas are often used to set it off, but it depends on the structure. Example: “Rest is important, according to the doctor.”

3. Can I use ‘according to’ with a question?

Yes, but it is rare. For example: “According to the schedule, when does the train arrive?” This is acceptable in formal writing, but in conversation, you would more likely say, “When does the train arrive, according to the schedule?”

4. What is the difference between ‘according to’ and ‘as per’?

According to is more general and can be used with people, documents, and studies. As per is very formal and is mostly used in business or legal contexts, often with instructions or requests. Example: “As per your request, I have sent the documents.” In most everyday academic writing, according to is the better choice.

For more help with sentence structure and word usage, explore our Simple Sentence Examples or visit our FAQ page. If you have questions about other academic phrases, check our Common Usage Mistakes section. You can also read our Editorial Policy to understand how we create our guides.