What does “according to” mean? This common English phrase is used to show the source of information, opinions, or statements. In this guide, you’ll learn its meaning, common uses, grammar rules, and simple “according to” examples for everyday English.
Quick Answer
According to means as stated or reported by someone or something. It can also mean following or depending on a rule, plan, system, or condition.
TL;DR
- According to often identifies a source.
- It can introduce people, reports, records, or documents.
- It can also describe rules, plans, and systems.
- Use I think for your own opinion.
- In accordance with emphasizes conformity.
- The phrase works in formal and everyday English.
What Does According To Mean?
The phrase according to usually tells readers where information comes from. The source may be a person, report, study, record, document, or other reference.
It has another important meaning. It can describe something done following a rule, plan, system, or condition.
• Source: According to the teacher, class starts at nine.
• Report: According to the report, attendance increased.
• Rule: We acted according to the rules.
• Plan: Everything went according to plan.
• System: Prices vary according to demand.
• Instructions: Use the device according to the instructions.
The Two Main Meanings of According To
The first meaning is about source. You use it when someone or something provides the information.
The second meaning is about agreement, method, or dependence. You use it when something follows a rule, plan, system, or changing condition.
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| Source | According to the teacher, class ends early. |
| Report | According to the report, sales increased. |
| Rule | We acted according to the rules. |
| Plan | Everything went according to plan. |
| System | Prices vary according to demand. |
According To as a Preposition
According to is commonly treated as a prepositional expression. It normally introduces a noun phrase that identifies the source or basis.
The source can be a person, pronoun, report, record, rule, document, or system.
• According to him, the store is closed.
• According to her, the meeting moved.
• According to the report, sales increased.
• According to our records, the payment arrived.
• According to the rules, everyone must register.
• According to the schedule, class starts at ten.
• According to the map, the museum is nearby.
• According to the instructions, press this button.
How to Use According To in a Sentence
A common pattern is according to + source + main statement. This structure clearly shows who or what provides the information.
You can also put the phrase after the main statement. Your choice often depends on which part you want readers to notice first.
• According to Maya, the store closes at eight.
• According to the schedule, lunch starts at noon.
• According to the report, attendance improved.
• According to our records, the payment arrived.
• The store closes at eight, according to Maya.
• Lunch starts at noon, according to the schedule.
• Attendance improved, according to the report.
• The payment arrived, according to our records.
According To Rules, Instructions, and Plans
Here, according to does not simply identify a source. It describes an action or situation that follows a particular rule, instruction, plan, or system.
This use often overlaps with expressions such as in line with or in accordance with, depending on context.
• We followed the instructions according to the manual.
• The team acted according to the rules.
• Everything went according to plan.
• Students were grouped according to ability.
• The books were arranged according to subject.
• Prices change according to demand.
• The schedule changes according to the season.
• The system operates according to a fixed process.
According To vs. In My Opinion
These expressions serve different purposes. According to normally identifies another source, while in my opinion introduces your personal view.
For your own judgment, I think, in my opinion, and in my view are usually more natural.
• According to Sara, the movie is excellent.
• In my opinion, the movie is excellent.
• According to the teacher, the answer is correct.
• I think the answer is correct.
• According to the report, prices fell.
• In my view, the change is useful.
Quick rule: Ask yourself, “Whose information is this?” If it is yours, use a personal-opinion phrase instead.
According To vs. In Accordance With
According to often tells readers where information comes from. In accordance with more strongly emphasizes that something follows or conforms to a rule, policy, requirement, or standard.
Sometimes both expressions are possible. The difference is usually the focus of the sentence.
• According to the law, drivers need a license.
• The company acted in accordance with the law.
• According to the instructions, press the button.
• The device was installed in accordance with the instructions.
• According to the report, costs increased.
• The company acted in accordance with its policy.
Can According To Start a Sentence?
Yes. According to can naturally appear at the beginning of a sentence.
When it introduces the sentence, a comma commonly follows the introductory phrase. It can also appear later in the sentence.
• According to the forecast, rain is expected tonight.
• According to the teacher, the test is Friday.
• According to the records, the payment arrived Monday.
• According to the map, the entrance is nearby.
• The test is Friday, according to the teacher.
• The payment arrived Monday, according to the records.
• The entrance is nearby, according to the map.
• Rain is expected tonight, according to the forecast.
What Comes After According To?
The phrase normally introduces a source or basis. That source can be a person, pronoun, document, report, rule, schedule, or system.
The most useful pattern to remember is according to + noun phrase.
• According to him, the store is closed.
• According to the teacher, class ends early.
• According to the report, sales increased.
• According to the records, payment arrived.
• According to the rules, visitors must register.
• According to the schedule, the meeting starts at two.
• According to the map, the museum is nearby.
• According to the instructions, use clean water.
According To in Formal and Academic Writing
Writers commonly use according to when reporting research, statistics, surveys, records, reports, and official information.
The phrase helps separate the source’s information from the writer’s own interpretation. In formal writing, the actual source should be clear when evidence matters.
• According to the survey, most participants preferred option A.
• According to the report, attendance increased.
• According to the researchers, further study is needed.
• According to the records, the payment was received.
• According to the published guidelines, applications need supporting documents.
• According to the data, results changed over time.
• According to the company policy, visitors must register.
• According to the study, the results require further review.
According To in Everyday English
You can use according to in casual conversations, too. It works naturally when you report information from another person or source.
Common everyday sources include family members, friends, weather apps, maps, schedules, signs, menus, and calendars.
• According to Mom, dinner is ready.
• According to Jake, the store closes at eight.
• According to the app, traffic is heavy.
• According to the forecast, rain is coming.
• According to the menu, soup comes with the meal.
• According to the sign, parking is allowed.
• According to the calendar, we have a meeting.
• According to the map, we’re almost there.
Common Mistakes With According To
The biggest mistakes involve personal opinions, similar expressions, and unclear sources.
A useful test is to identify the source. If the information comes from you, I think or in my opinion will usually work better.
• Avoid: According to me, this is excellent.
• Better: In my opinion, this is excellent.
• Avoid: According to my opinion, the plan works.
• Better: In my opinion, the plan works.
• Better: According to my teacher, the plan works.
• Use according to when identifying a source.
• Use in accordance with when conformity is the main idea.
• Do not treat every similar phrase as an exact synonym.
Alternatives to According To
You can replace according to when another expression fits the meaning better. The best choice depends on whether you are reporting, explaining, or showing agreement.
Some alternatives overlap, but they are not always interchangeable.
• As stated by — reports someone’s statement.
• As reported by — reports information from a source.
• Based on — emphasizes evidence or information.
• As explained by — introduces an explanation.
• As noted by — suits formal writing.
• Per — works in concise professional language.
• In line with — emphasizes consistency.
• In accordance with — emphasizes conformity.
According To Examples by Context
Context makes the meaning easier to recognize. The same phrase can introduce a person, document, rule, plan, or system.
Focus on what comes after according to and ask what relationship it has with the main statement.
• Person: According to Alex, the store opens at nine.
• Teacher: According to the teacher, the assignment is due Friday.
• Report: According to the report, attendance increased.
• News: According to the news, the storm may continue.
• Rules: We must act according to the rules.
• Instructions: Assemble the parts according to the instructions.
• Plan: Everything went according to plan.
• Map: According to the map, the museum is nearby.
• Schedule: According to the schedule, class starts at ten.
• Data: According to the data, the results changed.
Practice: Choose the Correct Expression
Practice becomes easier when you separate source information from personal opinion and conformity.
Try these examples before checking the answers.
• The teacher said the test is Friday → According to the teacher.
• The report says sales increased → According to the report.
• You personally believe the plan works → In my opinion.
• The team followed its policy → according to company policy.
• Everything happened as planned → according to plan.
• The books were sorted by subject → according to subject.
• The forecast predicts rain → According to the forecast.
• A rule requires registration → According to the rules.
Quick Rules to Remember
You can remember most uses with three ideas: source, system, and opinion.
Use according to for a source or for something that follows a system. Use a personal-opinion phrase when the idea belongs to you.
• Use according to for reported information.
• Use it with people and pronouns.
• Use it with reports and records.
• Use it with rules and instructions.
• Use it with plans and schedules.
• Use it with systems and changing conditions.
• Use I think for your own opinion.
• Use in my opinion for personal judgment.
• Use in accordance with when conformity is the focus.
• Check the intended meaning before choosing a synonym.
FAQs
What does according to mean in simple English?
According to usually means as stated or reported by someone or something. It can also mean following a rule, plan, system, or condition.
Is according to a preposition?
Yes. Major dictionaries classify according to as a preposition or describe it as a prepositional expression. It commonly introduces a noun phrase identifying the source.
Is “according to me” grammatically correct?
The expression can be understood, but it is usually not the natural choice for your own opinion. I think, in my opinion, or in my view is generally better.
Can according to be used at the end of a sentence?
Yes. For example: The meeting starts at three, according to the schedule. This placement is natural when the source works as additional information.
What is the difference between according to and in accordance with?
According to often identifies a source or states information based on a rule. In accordance with usually emphasizes that something conforms to a rule, policy, requirement, or standard.
What are the best alternatives to according to?
Useful choices include as stated by, as reported by, based on, as explained by, in line with, and in accordance with. Choose according to the exact relationship you want to express.
Conclusion
The phrase according to mainly identifies a source or describes something that follows a rule, plan, or system. Understanding that difference makes the phrase much easier to use correctly.
For personal opinions, choose I think or in my opinion instead. For practice, write five original sentences using a person, report, rule, plan, and personal opinion.
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