Quick Answer:
The best alternatives to according to include as stated by, as reported by, based on, as noted by, as indicated by, and in the view of. The right choice depends on whether you are writing academically, speaking professionally, or presenting information from a source.
Knowing what are other ways to say according to can make your English sound more precise, natural, and professional. The phrase is commonly used when you refer to information, opinions, research, statements, or evidence from another person or source. However, repeating the same expression can make your writing feel less varied.
Learning alternatives to according to helps you communicate ideas with greater flexibility in essays, reports, presentations, emails, and everyday conversations. Different expressions can also show whether information comes from a person, study, report, opinion, or evidence. Just as learners practice how to express excitement in English, learning source based expressions can strengthen vocabulary and improve confidence in both spoken and written communication.
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “according to”
- As stated by
- As reported by
- As indicated by
- As documented by
Pro Tip: Use these expressions in academic papers, formal reports, and research based writing when you need to identify a source clearly.
Casual alternatives
- As someone says
- As someone mentioned
- From what I hear
- Based on what I know
Pro Tip: Casual expressions work best in conversations where a relaxed and natural tone is more important than formal precision.
Professional alternatives
- Based on
- As noted by
- As outlined by
- As confirmed by
Pro Tip: Professional source phrases make reports, emails, and presentations sound organized and credible.
Informal expressions
- From what I understand
- As I understand it
- From what I have heard
- Going by
Pro Tip: Use informal expressions in English when speaking with colleagues or friends, but choose formal wording for academic or official documents.
“Choosing the right source phrase can make your writing sound clearer, more credible, and more confident.”
Common Mistakes
1. Using “according to me”
Mistake: “According to me, this is the best option.”
Better: “In my opinion, this is the best option.”
Why: “According to” normally introduces information attributed to another source, person, or authority.
2. Using “according to” without a source
Mistake: “According to, the meeting starts at nine.”
Better: “According to the schedule, the meeting starts at nine.”
Why: The phrase normally needs a source or reference after it.
3. Confusing “according to” with personal opinion
Mistake: “According to me, the movie was excellent.”
Better: “In my opinion, the movie was excellent.”
Why: Personal opinions are better introduced with phrases such as “in my opinion” or “I believe.”
4. Overusing “according to” in academic writing
Mistake: “According to Smith, according to Jones, and according to Brown, the results changed.”
Better: “Smith reported that the results changed, while Jones and Brown reached similar conclusions.”
Why: Repetition can make formal writing less engaging.
5. Using a casual expression in formal writing
Mistake: “From what I hear, the research supports this idea.”
Better: “According to the research, the evidence supports this idea.”
Why: Casual expressions may weaken the formal tone of academic or professional writing.
What Does “According To” Mean?
According to means that information comes from a particular person, source, report, document, opinion, or authority.
It is commonly followed by a noun or noun phrase.
Example: “According to the report, sales increased this year.”
The phrase can introduce information without necessarily showing that the speaker personally agrees with it.
When to Use “According To”
You can use according to in many contexts:
- Academic writing: To introduce information from research or publications.
- Professional reports: To identify information from company documents or experts.
- News writing: To attribute statements to officials, witnesses, or organizations.
- Everyday conversations: To explain where you heard information.
- Presentations: To introduce statistics, research, or external evidence.
Spoken vs. Written: The phrase is natural in both spoken and written English.
Formal vs. Informal: It is neutral and works particularly well in academic and professional communication.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “According To”?
Polite? ✔️ Yes
Professional? ✔️ Yes
“According to” is completely appropriate in professional communication. It is especially useful when you need to attribute information to a reliable source.
Business-style example: “According to the latest sales report, customer engagement increased by 15 percent.”
Using alternatives can help you avoid repetition while maintaining a professional tone.
Pros and Cons of Using “According To”
Pros
- Simple and natural: It is easy to understand and widely used.
- Professional tone: It works well in reports, presentations, and business writing.
- Common usage: Native speakers use it frequently.
- Easy to understand: It clearly connects information with a source.
Cons
- Can become repetitive: Frequent use may make writing sound predictable.
- Limited variety: It does not provide many stylistic options by itself.
- Can sound mechanical: Repeated use in essays may reduce readability.
- Needs a source: The phrase generally works best when the source is clearly identified.
“Strong English does not always mean using complicated words. It means choosing the expression that fits the context.”
Other Ways to Say “According To” With Examples
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations.
Use them according to tone, context, and audience when presenting information, citing sources, or using professional reaction phrases.
1. Phrase: As Stated By
Meaning: Information was directly stated by a person or source.
Explanation: This formal phrase is useful when attributing a specific statement.
Example Sentence: “As stated by the director, the project will begin next month.”
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, precise, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “She said the project starts soon.” Professional: “As stated by the director, the project starts soon.” Spoken: “As stated by the director, the project will begin soon.”
2. Phrase: As Reported By
Meaning: Information was reported by a person, organization, or publication.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when referring to news, research, or documented information.
Example Sentence: “As reported by the newspaper, the company plans to expand.”
Best Use: News writing
Worst Use: Friendly chat
Tone: Formal, objective, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “The newspaper says the company will expand.” Professional: “As reported by the newspaper, the company plans to expand.” Spoken: “As reported by the news, the company plans to expand.”
3. Phrase: Based On
Meaning: Information or conclusions come from particular evidence or information.
Explanation: This is a versatile phrase that works in professional and everyday English.
Example Sentence: “Based on the latest data, we should change the strategy.”
Best Use: Professional communication
Worst Use: Direct quotations
Tone: Neutral, professional, analytical
Context Variability: Casual: “Based on what we know, it should work.” Professional: “Based on the latest data, we recommend a change.” Spoken: “Based on the results, we should continue.”
4. Phrase: As Noted By
Meaning: A person or source has pointed out particular information.
Explanation: This phrase is especially useful in academic and professional writing.
Example Sentence: “As noted by the researcher, the results require further analysis.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal, academic, precise
Context Variability: Casual: “The researcher pointed this out.” Professional: “As noted by the researcher, further analysis is required.” Spoken: “As noted by the researcher, the results need more analysis.”
5. Phrase: As Indicated By
Meaning: Information is shown or suggested by evidence.
Explanation: It works well when referring to statistics, signs, results, or data.
Example Sentence: “As indicated by the survey, customer satisfaction has improved.”
Best Use: Data analysis
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, analytical, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “The survey shows that customers are happier.” Professional: “As indicated by the survey, satisfaction has improved.” Spoken: “As indicated by the data, the trend is positive.”
6. Phrase: As Documented By
Meaning: Information has been recorded in an official or reliable source.
Explanation: This phrase is particularly suitable for reports, records, and historical information.
Example Sentence: “As documented by the organization, the policy was introduced in 2020.”
Best Use: Formal reports
Worst Use: Everyday speech
Tone: Formal, official, precise
Context Variability: Casual: “The records show this.” Professional: “As documented by the organization, the policy began in 2020.” Spoken: “As documented in the records, the policy changed.”
7. Phrase: As Outlined By
Meaning: Information has been explained or presented by a source.
Explanation: This phrase works especially well with plans, procedures, strategies, and proposals.
Example Sentence: “As outlined by the manager, the team will follow three steps.”
Best Use: Business writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Professional, organized, formal
Context Variability: Casual: “The manager explained the plan.” Professional: “As outlined by the manager, the team will follow three steps.” Spoken: “As outlined by the manager, we have three steps.”
8. Phrase: As Confirmed By
Meaning: Information has been verified by a person or source.
Explanation: Use this phrase when the source has officially confirmed something.
Example Sentence: “As confirmed by the client, the meeting will take place tomorrow.”
Best Use: Business communication
Worst Use: Unverified claims
Tone: Professional, formal, confident
Context Variability: Casual: “The client confirmed it.” Professional: “As confirmed by the client, the meeting is tomorrow.” Spoken: “As confirmed by the client, we are meeting tomorrow.”
9. Phrase: As Mentioned By
Meaning: Someone previously referred to or talked about something.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when connecting your statement to an earlier comment.
Example Sentence: “As mentioned by Sarah, the deadline has been extended.”
Best Use: Professional speech
Worst Use: Formal research
Tone: Neutral, polite, conversational
Context Variability: Casual: “Sarah mentioned that the deadline changed.” Professional: “As mentioned by Sarah, the deadline has been extended.” Spoken: “As mentioned by Sarah, the deadline is Friday.”
10. Phrase: As Explained By
Meaning: Information was explained by a person or source.
Explanation: Use it when the source has provided an explanation rather than simply a fact.
Example Sentence: “As explained by the instructor, the process requires three stages.”
Best Use: Educational writing
Worst Use: Casual jokes
Tone: Formal, educational, clear
Context Variability: Casual: “The instructor explained it.” Professional: “As explained by the instructor, the process has three stages.” Spoken: “As explained by the instructor, this step is important.”
11. Phrase: In The Words Of
Meaning: Expressing something using the exact or notable words of another person.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when emphasizing someone’s distinctive statement.
Example Sentence: “In the words of the author, success requires patience.”
Best Use: Quotations
Worst Use: Statistical data
Tone: Literary, formal, expressive
Context Variability: Casual: “The author said it best.” Professional: “In the words of the author, success requires patience.” Spoken: “In the words of the author, success requires patience.”
12. Phrase: In The View Of
Meaning: According to someone’s opinion or perspective.
Explanation: This formal phrase is useful when presenting a person’s viewpoint.
Example Sentence: “In the view of the committee, the proposal needs revision.”
Best Use: Formal opinions
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, respectful, objective
Context Variability: Casual: “The committee thinks the proposal needs work.” Professional: “In the view of the committee, the proposal requires revision.” Spoken: “In the view of the committee, the plan needs changes.”
13. Phrase: From The Perspective Of
Meaning: Considering something from a particular viewpoint.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when analyzing an issue from someone’s position or standpoint.
Example Sentence: “From the perspective of the customer, the process is too complicated.”
Best Use: Analytical writing
Worst Use: Simple facts
Tone: Professional, analytical, thoughtful
Context Variability: Casual: “From the customer’s point of view, it is difficult.” Professional: “From the perspective of the customer, the process is complicated.” Spoken: “From the customer’s perspective, the process is difficult.”
14. Phrase: In The Opinion Of
Meaning: Expressing a particular person’s opinion.
Explanation: It is a formal alternative when the source is giving a judgment or viewpoint.
Example Sentence: “In the opinion of the expert, the approach is effective.”
Best Use: Formal opinions
Worst Use: Objective statistics
Tone: Formal, respectful, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “The expert thinks the approach works.” Professional: “In the opinion of the expert, the approach is effective.” Spoken: “In the opinion of the expert, this is the best option.”
15. Phrase: From What I Understand
Meaning: Based on the information you currently understand.
Explanation: This is a natural expression when you are not claiming complete certainty.
Example Sentence: “From what I understand, the meeting has been postponed.”
Best Use: Everyday speech
Worst Use: Official citation
Tone: Casual, cautious, natural
Context Variability: Casual: “From what I understand, she is leaving.” Professional: “From what I understand, the meeting has been postponed.” Spoken: “From what I understand, the deadline has changed.”
16. Phrase: As I Understand It
Meaning: Based on your current understanding of a situation.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when clarifying information while leaving room for correction.
Example Sentence: “As I understand it, the company will announce the results tomorrow.”
Best Use: Professional speech
Worst Use: Formal citation
Tone: Neutral, cautious, conversational
Context Variability: Casual: “As I understand it, they are moving.” Professional: “As I understand it, the company will announce the results tomorrow.” Spoken: “As I understand it, the plan has changed.”
17. Phrase: From What I Have Heard
Meaning: Based on information received from other people.
Explanation: This is a natural conversational alternative when the information is not directly verified.
Example Sentence: “From what I have heard, the new manager is very experienced.”
Best Use: Casual conversation
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Informal, conversational, cautious
Context Variability: Casual: “From what I have heard, it is a good place to work.” Professional: “Based on the information available, the company has strong results.” Spoken: “From what I have heard, she is very experienced.”
18. Phrase: As Far As I Know
Meaning: Based on the information currently known to you.
Explanation: This phrase shows that you believe something is true but do not claim absolute certainty.
Example Sentence: “As far as I know, the office will remain closed tomorrow.”
Best Use: Everyday speech
Worst Use: Academic evidence
Tone: Casual, cautious, natural
Context Variability: Casual: “As far as I know, he is still working there.” Professional: “To the best of my knowledge, the office will remain closed.” Spoken: “As far as I know, the meeting is tomorrow.”
19. Phrase: In Light Of
Meaning: Considering particular information or circumstances.
Explanation: This formal phrase is often used when new evidence influences a decision.
Example Sentence: “In light of the new evidence, the team changed its approach.”
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, analytical, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “Because of the new information, we changed the plan.” Professional: “In light of the new evidence, the strategy was revised.” Spoken: “In light of the results, we should reconsider.”
20. Phrase: On The Basis Of
Meaning: Using something as the foundation for a decision or conclusion.
Explanation: This phrase is common in formal and professional writing.
Example Sentence: “The decision was made on the basis of the available evidence.”
Best Use: Formal reports
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, precise, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “We made the decision based on the evidence.” Professional: “The decision was made on the basis of the evidence.” Spoken: “On the basis of these results, we recommend approval.”
21. Phrase: In Line With
Meaning: Consistent with a particular policy, standard, or source.
Explanation: This phrase is especially common in business and organizational communication.
Example Sentence: “The new policy is in line with industry standards.”
Best Use: Business writing
Worst Use: Personal opinions
Tone: Professional, formal, precise
Context Variability: Casual: “The policy matches the standards.” Professional: “The policy is in line with industry standards.” Spoken: “This approach is in line with our policy.”
22. Phrase: Consistent With
Meaning: Agreeing with or matching existing information or evidence.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when comparing new information with established evidence.
Example Sentence: “The findings are consistent with previous research.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, academic, analytical
Context Variability: Casual: “The results match what we expected.” Professional: “The findings are consistent with previous research.” Spoken: “The results are consistent with earlier findings.”
23. Phrase: In Keeping With
Meaning: In agreement with a particular idea, standard, or tradition.
Explanation: This formal phrase is useful when describing consistency with established practices.
Example Sentence: “The decision was in keeping with the organization’s values.”
Best Use: Formal communication
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, polished, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “The decision matched the organization’s values.” Professional: “The decision was in keeping with organizational values.” Spoken: “The decision is in keeping with our policy.”
24. Phrase: As Per
Meaning: In accordance with a particular instruction, request, or source.
Explanation: “As per” is common in business English, especially in written communication.
Example Sentence: “As per your request, I have attached the revised document.”
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, professional, administrative
Context Variability: Casual: “As you requested, I sent the file.” Professional: “As per your request, the document is attached.” Spoken: “As per the policy, approval is required.”
25. Phrase: In Accordance With
Meaning: Following or agreeing with a rule, policy, or standard.
Explanation: This is a highly formal expression often used in official documents.
Example Sentence: “The procedure was completed in accordance with company policy.”
Best Use: Official writing
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal, official, precise
Context Variability: Casual: “We followed company policy.” Professional: “The procedure was completed in accordance with company policy.” Spoken: “The process was completed in accordance with the guidelines.”
26. Phrase: Going By
Meaning: Using particular information as a basis for a judgment.
Explanation: This is a casual expression that works well in everyday spoken English.
Example Sentence: “Going by the latest figures, the company is doing well.”
Best Use: Casual speech
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Informal, conversational, natural
Context Variability: Casual: “Going by the numbers, we are doing well.” Professional: “Based on the latest figures, performance has improved.” Spoken: “Going by the results, everything looks good.”
27. Phrase: Judging By
Meaning: Forming an opinion based on visible or available evidence.
Explanation: Use this expression when evidence allows you to make an observation or conclusion.
Example Sentence: “Judging by the results, the new strategy is working.”
Best Use: Analytical speech
Worst Use: Direct citation
Tone: Neutral, analytical, conversational
Context Variability: Casual: “Judging by the results, it worked.” Professional: “Based on the results, the strategy appears effective.” Spoken: “Judging by the results, we are on track.”
28. Phrase: In The Light Of The Information
Meaning: Considering information when making a judgment or decision.
Explanation: This expression emphasizes that available information has influenced a conclusion.
Example Sentence: “In the light of the information provided, we decided to delay the launch.”
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, analytical, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “Because of the information, we delayed the launch.” Professional: “In light of the information provided, the launch was delayed.” Spoken: “Considering the information, we decided to wait.”
29. Phrase: From The Evidence
Meaning: Based on evidence that is available.
Explanation: This concise expression is useful when drawing conclusions from facts or data.
Example Sentence: “From the evidence available, the theory appears reasonable.”
Best Use: Analytical writing
Worst Use: Personal opinions
Tone: Neutral, analytical, precise
Context Variability: Casual: “The evidence suggests that it worked.” Professional: “From the evidence available, the theory appears reasonable.” Spoken: “From the evidence, it looks like the plan worked.”
30. Phrase: According To The Information Available
Meaning: Based on the information currently accessible.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when you want to communicate information while acknowledging that it may not be complete.
Example Sentence: “According to the information available, the project remains on schedule.”
Best Use: Professional reports
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, cautious, professional
Context Variability: Casual: “From what we know, the project is on schedule.” Professional: “According to the information available, the project remains on schedule.” Spoken: “Based on the information available, everything is on track.”
“A good synonym changes more than vocabulary. It can change the level of certainty, formality, and authority in your message.”
Mini Quiz / Self Check
1. Which phrase is best for an academic research paper?
A. Going by
B. As reported by
C. From what I hear
D. As far as I know
Answer: B. As reported by
2. Which phrase is best for expressing your personal opinion?
A. According to me
B. In my opinion
C. As documented by me
D. As reported by me
Answer: B. In my opinion
3. Which phrase is especially useful in a professional email?
A. As per your request
B. From what I hear
C. Going by
D. As someone says
Answer: A. As per your request
4. Which phrase shows that your information comes from evidence?
A. In my opinion
B. As far as I know
C. Based on
D. I feel that
Answer: C. Based on
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| As stated by | Formal, precise | Academic writing |
| As reported by | Formal, objective | News and reports |
| Based on | Neutral, professional | Business communication |
| As noted by | Formal, academic | Research writing |
| As indicated by | Analytical, formal | Data and statistics |
| As documented by | Formal, official | Reports and records |
| As outlined by | Professional, organized | Business writing |
| As confirmed by | Professional, confident | Workplace communication |
| In the view of | Formal, respectful | Opinions and analysis |
| As per | Formal, administrative | Business emails |
FAQs
What are other ways to say according to?
Common alternatives include as stated by, as reported by, based on, as noted by, as indicated by, and in the view of.
What is a professional way to say according to?
Professional alternatives include as noted by, as reported by, based on, as outlined by, and as confirmed by.
Can I use “according to” in academic writing?
Yes. “According to” is widely used in academic writing to introduce information from research, authors, studies, reports, or other sources.
Is “according to me” grammatically correct?
It is understandable, but it is usually unnatural when expressing a personal opinion. Use in my opinion, I believe, or from my perspective instead.
What is a casual alternative to according to?
In casual conversations, you can use from what I hear, from what I understand, as far as I know, or going by depending on the context.
Conclusion
Learning what are other ways to say according to gives you more control over your English vocabulary and writing style. Expressions such as as stated by, based on, as reported by, and in the view of allow you to present information with greater precision.
The key is to match the expression with your audience and purpose. Practice replacing repeated phrases in emails, essays, presentations, and conversations. With regular practice, your English will sound more varied, polished, and confident.
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