21 Better Ways to Say “According To” (Formal, Informal & Professional Alternatives)

“According to” is a phrase nearly every English speaker uses — in news articles, emails, essays, and everyday conversation. But repeating it makes writing sound flat. Swapping it for a better alternative makes your message more professional or natural.

This guide gives you 21 alternatives with real examples, tone tips, and advice on when to use each.

What Does “According To” Mean?

It’s a prepositional phrase that introduces information from a specific source — a person, document, study, or statement.

• Grammar form: Prepositional phrase used before a noun.
• Similar phrases: As stated by, based on, in line with, per, as reported by.
• Opposite tone: “I believe” or “in my opinion” carry personal weight; “according to” points to an external source instead.

Example: “According to the latest study, exercise reduces stress significantly.”

When to Use It

Context	Fit
Spoken English	Natural and clear
Business English	Suitable for citing data, policy, reports
Emails	Works well — avoid overuse
Social media	Fine, though shorter alternatives like “per” feel punchier
Academic writing	Widely accepted; varying phrasing shows stronger command
Professional meetings	Perfectly appropriate

Is It Polite or Professional?

Tone Level	Rating
Politeness	Yes — attributes credit properly
Neutrality	Neither warm nor cold
Formality	Moderately formal, works both ways
Strength	Soft, non-assertive

Etiquette tip: Safe in most professional settings. Avoid repeating it more than twice in the same paragraph — it becomes noticeable quickly.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Clear, universally understood, works formally and informally.
Cons: Becomes repetitive quickly, sounds generic in academic or legal writing, overuse signals limited vocabulary.

Alternatives to “According To” — Explained

1. As Stated By

Meaning: Introduces information officially said or written.
Why it works: More deliberate and precise — suggests a direct, clear statement.
Example: “As stated by the CEO in the annual report, the company plans to expand into three new markets.”
Best for: Formal emails, academic writing, business reports.
Tone: Formal, professional | Level: Intermediate

2. Based On

Meaning: Introduces information derived from evidence or data.
Why it works: Softer than “according to” — implies reasoning, not just citation.
Example: “Based on the survey results, customer satisfaction has improved by 18% this quarter.”
Best for: Business emails, reports, presentations.
Tone: Neutral, analytical | Level: Beginner

3. Per

Meaning: A short, direct way to say “as stated by.”
Why it works: Clean and efficient — common in business writing.
Example: “Per the guidelines issued last Monday, all submissions must be received before noon.”
Best for: Professional emails, internal memos.
Tone: Formal, direct | Level: Beginner

4. As Per

Meaning: A slightly more elaborate version of “per.”
Why it works: Widely used in formal business correspondence globally.
Example: “As per our previous conversation, I’m sending you the updated contract draft.”
Best for: Formal emails, legal correspondence.
Tone: Formal, professional | Level: Intermediate

5. In Accordance With

Meaning: Following the rules, standards, or instructions of a source.
Why it works: One of the most formal options — implies compliance, not just citation.
Example: “In accordance with company policy, all employees must complete the training by Friday.”
Best for: Legal documents, policy memos, official notices.
Tone: Formal, authoritative | Level: Advanced

6. As Noted By

Meaning: Signals that a source has already made this observation.
Why it works: Implies deliberate insight — great for academic writing.
Example: “As noted by Smith (2020), digital learning significantly outperforms traditional methods.”
Best for: Academic papers, literature reviews.
Tone: Formal, academic | Level: Advanced

7. As Reported By

Meaning: Introduces information a source has shared or published.
Why it works: Common in journalism — adds a sense of objectivity.
Example: “As reported by the World Health Organization, global vaccination rates have reached a record high.”
Best for: News writing, factual reports.
Tone: Neutral, journalistic | Level: Intermediate

8. As Indicated By

Meaning: Shows that a source points to a particular conclusion.
Why it works: Analytical — great for data-heavy writing.
Example: “As indicated by the monthly statistics, online shopping has surpassed in-store purchases.”
Best for: Business analysis, research presentations.
Tone: Analytical, formal | Level: Advanced

9. In Line With

Meaning: Consistent with what a source says or requires.
Why it works: Softer and more flexible than “in accordance with.”
Example: “In line with the recommendations of our legal team, we will pause all external communications.”
Best for: Business writing, professional emails.
Tone: Professional, measured | Level: Intermediate

10. As Suggested By

Meaning: Attributes a recommendation or idea to a source.
Why it works: Softer than “as confirmed by” — leaves room for agreement or disagreement.
Example: “As suggested by the research team, we should pilot the program before a full rollout.”
Best for: Business discussions, reports citing recommendations.
Tone: Soft, collaborative | Level: Intermediate

11. In the Words Of

Meaning: Directly introduces a quote from a specific person.
Why it works: More dramatic and personal — gives a quote more weight.
Example: “In the words of Nelson Mandela, education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Best for: Speeches, essays, inspirational writing.
Tone: Expressive, formal | Level: Intermediate

12. As Evidenced By

Meaning: Indicates that proof or concrete evidence supports the point.
Why it works: Carries serious weight — signals real evidence, not just opinion.
Example: “As evidenced by three independent clinical trials, the treatment reduced symptoms in 80% of patients.”
Best for: Academic writing, legal briefs, scientific reports.
Tone: Strong, authoritative | Level: Advanced

13. As Confirmed By

Meaning: Introduces information a source has verified.
Why it works: Adds certainty — signals the source didn’t just mention it, but validated it.
Example: “As confirmed by the Ministry of Health, the new regulations will take effect on July 1.”
Best for: News writing, official communications.
Tone: Formal, confident | Level: Intermediate

14. As Documented By

Meaning: Backed by written records or documented sources.
Why it works: Stresses that information is on the record.
Example: “As documented by the United Nations, poverty rates in the region dropped by 22% over the past decade.”
Best for: Research papers, legal documents, journalism.
Tone: Formal, precise | Level: Advanced

15. Pursuant To

Meaning: In formal compliance with a rule, decision, or authority.
Why it works: Highly legal and official — signals absolute compliance.
Example: “Pursuant to Section 4 of the agreement, all disputes shall be resolved through arbitration.”
Best for: Legal documents, contracts, regulatory writing.
Tone: Very formal, legal | Level: Advanced

16. Drawing From

Meaning: Pulling insights or information from a particular source.
Why it works: Implies active engagement, not passive citation.
Example: “Drawing from a decade of research, the authors conclude that sleep deprivation affects performance more than alcohol.”
Best for: Academic essays, analytical reports.
Tone: Thoughtful, analytical | Level: Advanced

17. Citing

Meaning: Referring to or mentioning a source.
Why it works: Punchy and direct — common in news writing.
Example: “The senator defended the policy, citing economic growth data from the past two years.”
Best for: News articles, blog posts, journalism.
Tone: Neutral, journalistic | Level: Beginner

18. Referencing

Meaning: Mentioning or pointing to a source to support a point.
Why it works: Slightly more formal than “citing” — common in business writing.
Example: “Referencing the client feedback from last quarter, I believe we need to revise our support strategy.”
Best for: Business emails, professional reports.
Tone: Professional, calm | Level: Intermediate

19. As Claimed By

Meaning: Attributes a statement to a source, often with slight skepticism.
Why it works: Signals you haven’t personally verified the claim — useful in balanced reporting.
Example: “As claimed by the company’s spokesperson, there were no data breaches in the past year.”
Best for: News writing, investigative journalism.
Tone: Neutral, slightly skeptical | Level: Intermediate

20. Consistent With

Meaning: Aligns with what a source has said or shown.
Why it works: Softer and more analytical — widely used in scientific and legal writing.
Example: “These findings are consistent with earlier research suggesting a link between diet and mental health.”
Best for: Scientific reports, legal analysis.
Tone: Analytical, formal | Level: Advanced

21. In the Opinion Of

Meaning: Attributes a viewpoint to a specific person or source.
Why it works: Makes clear the information is subjective, not universal fact.
Example: “In the opinion of several leading economists, the current policy is unsustainable in the long term.”
Best for: Analysis, opinion pieces, professional discussions.
Tone: Balanced, measured | Level: Intermediate

Mini Dialogue Examples

Formal: Manager: “What does the report say about this quarter’s performance?” Analyst: “As indicated by the financial data, revenue has grown by 14%. In accordance with the board’s expectations, this exceeds our targets.”

Informal: Friend A: “Is the café near the library still open?” Friend B: “Not sure — based on what Mia said, they closed last month.” Friend A: “Oh no! Per her Instagram, they just moved locations.”

Business email:

Subject: Update on Policy Changes

Hi Sarah, as per the new HR policy shared last week, all remote work requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. Referencing the updated schedule, your team’s flexibility hours have also been adjusted.

Best regards, Daniel

Mistakes to Avoid

• Using “according to” repeatedly in one paragraph — rotate alternatives to keep writing clean.
• Using “as per” in academic essays — it’s a business phrase, not scholarly.
• Using “pursuant to” outside legal contexts — sounds unnatural in regular emails.
• Using “as claimed by” for credible sources — implies doubt and can weaken your argument.
• Mixing formal and informal alternatives in one piece — creates a tone mismatch.
• Forgetting to name the source clearly — always complete the thought.

Cultural and Tone Notes

• UK English: Favors formal alternatives — “as stated by” and “in accordance with” are common in British writing; “as per” is also widely used in business.
• US English: “Per” is common in corporate emails; “based on” and “citing” are standard in journalism; “pursuant to” stays reserved for legal documents.
• Casual/social English: Native speakers rarely use these phrases in everyday talk — they say “my friend said” or “I heard that.”

Comparison Table: Top 5 Alternatives

Phrase	Tone	Best Context	Formality
As stated by	Formal	Official documents, business reports	High
Based on	Analytical	Data-driven reports, emails	Medium-High
Per	Direct	Business emails, memos	Medium
As reported by	Objective	News, journalism, formal reports	Medium-High
In accordance with	Very formal	Legal, compliance, policy documents	Very High

Another Word for According to in an Essay

Using according to repeatedly can make an essay sound repetitive. Fortunately, there are many alternatives that help create a smoother and more professional writing style while maintaining the same meaning. These expressions are especially useful in academic, argumentative, and analytical writing where citing sources or presenting evidence is essential.

Some common alternatives include:

• As stated by
• As reported by
• As noted by
• As explained by
• Based on
• In the opinion of
• As described by
• As outlined by
• As mentioned by
• As indicated by
• As observed by
• In the view of

Each phrase works slightly differently. For example, as stated by is ideal when quoting an author’s exact words, while based on is better when discussing research findings or evidence. Choosing different alternatives improves readability and demonstrates a stronger command of academic language.

Other Ways to Say According to in a Sentence

Replacing according to with suitable alternatives helps your sentences sound more natural and engaging. The best choice depends on the context and the type of information you are presenting.

Here are several natural substitutes:

• As stated by the author
• As suggested by experts
• Based on recent findings
• In the words of
• As highlighted by researchers
• As documented in the report
• As explained in the study
• As referenced by scholars
• In the opinion of professionals
• As confirmed by evidence

For example:

• According to the report, sales increased significantly.
• As reported in the study, sales increased significantly.
• Based on the report, sales increased significantly.
• The report indicates that sales increased significantly.

Using sentence variety keeps readers interested and gives your writing a polished, professional appearance.

Other Ways to Say According to Synonym

Although according to is not a single word, several synonyms and equivalent expressions communicate a similar idea. They are useful in essays, business writing, research papers, and everyday communication.

Popular synonyms include:

• Based on
• As per
• In accordance with
• As stated by
• As indicated by
• As reported by
• In the view of
• As mentioned by
• Following
• Consistent with
• Per
• As explained by

Remember that not every synonym fits every situation. For instance, per is common in business communication, while in accordance with is more formal and often used in legal or official documents. Selecting the appropriate expression improves clarity and ensures your writing matches the intended audience.

Other Ways to Say According to Examples

Understanding alternatives becomes much easier when you see them in context. The following examples demonstrate how different phrases can replace according to without changing the meaning.

Original:
According to the teacher, the exam will cover five chapters.

Alternative:
As explained by the teacher, the exam will cover five chapters.

Original:
According to recent research, exercise improves mental health.

Alternative:
Based on recent research, exercise improves mental health.

Original:
According to experts, drinking enough water is essential.

Alternative:
Experts suggest that drinking enough water is essential.

Original:
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.

Alternative:
The weather forecast predicts that it will rain tomorrow.

These examples show that replacing repetitive phrases creates more engaging and natural writing while keeping the original meaning intact.

According to Other Term for Research

Academic and research writing often requires citing sources repeatedly. Instead of using according to throughout your paper, you can use several professional alternatives that maintain credibility and improve sentence flow.

Effective alternatives include:

• Based on the findings of
• The study indicates
• Research conducted by
• The evidence suggests
• The data reveals
• The report concludes
• The researchers found
• The analysis shows
• The publication states
• The investigation demonstrates

For example:

• Based on the findings of the study, students who practiced daily achieved higher scores.
• The research conducted by Smith indicates that early intervention improves outcomes.
• The evidence suggests that regular exercise reduces stress levels.

Using these alternatives helps your research writing sound more scholarly while avoiding unnecessary repetition.

According to Synonym Informal

In casual conversations, emails, blogs, or social media posts, formal expressions may sound too stiff. Informal alternatives to according to make your communication feel more friendly and conversational.

Some informal options include:

• From what I heard
• They say
• Based on
• From what I’ve read
• Going by
• From what people say
• Word is
• As I’ve heard
• Apparently
• By all accounts

Examples:

• Going by the news, the event has been postponed.
• From what I’ve read, the restaurant has excellent reviews.
• They say the new movie is worth watching.
• Apparently, the meeting has been canceled.

While these expressions work well in informal settings, they should generally be avoided in academic or professional writing unless the tone specifically calls for conversational language.

According to Meaning

The phrase according to means as stated, reported, believed, or explained by a particular person, source, document, or piece of evidence. It introduces information that comes from someone else’s opinion, observation, or findings rather than your own.

People commonly use according to when:

• Citing books or articles
• Referring to expert opinions
• Discussing research results
• Reporting news
• Quoting official statements
• Mentioning statistics

For example:

• According to the doctor, regular exercise supports heart health.
• According to the survey, customer satisfaction increased this year.
• According to company policy, employees must wear identification badges.

Using according to helps readers understand where the information originates, making your writing more trustworthy and credible.

According to in a Sentence

Learning through examples is one of the best ways to understand how according to is used in everyday English. Here are several sentence examples covering different situations.

• According to the teacher, the assignment is due on Friday.
• According to experts, healthy eating improves overall well-being.
• According to the latest report, unemployment has decreased.
• According to my parents, honesty is the best policy.
• According to the weather forecast, sunshine is expected tomorrow.
• According to researchers, sleep plays a vital role in memory.
• According to company guidelines, all visitors must register at reception.
• According to the witness, the accident happened late in the evening.
• According to historians, the city was founded centuries ago.
• According to the instructions, assemble the parts before turning on the device.

These examples demonstrate that according to is versatile and can be used in academic writing, professional communication, news reporting, and everyday conversations. Using the phrase correctly helps identify the source of information while making your writing clear, accurate, and credible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be said instead of “according to”?

Several alternatives to “according to” include based on, as stated by, as reported by, in the opinion of, as noted by, and as explained by. The best choice depends on your writing style, the level of formality, and the type of source you are referencing.

What to use instead of according to?

Instead of repeatedly using “according to,” you can write based on, as indicated by, as mentioned in, as outlined by, or as documented by. Rotating these expressions improves readability and makes your writing sound more natural and engaging.

How to use according to in an essay?

In an essay, “according to” is commonly used to introduce information from a reliable source or expert while giving proper credit. It helps strengthen your arguments by showing that your claims are supported by research, evidence, or authoritative opinions rather than personal assumptions.

Can you say per instead of according to?

Yes, “per” can sometimes replace “according to,” especially in professional, business, or legal writing. However, per is generally more concise and formal, while according to sounds more natural and is usually the better choice for academic essays and general writing.

Can I use “as per” in academic writing?

Generally better to avoid it — style guides often flag it as a business expression. Try “as noted by” or “as evidenced by” instead.

Conclusion

“According to” is useful, but it’s just one tool in a larger toolkit. Knowing when to say “as evidenced by” instead of “per,” or “in accordance with” instead of “based on,” separates average writing from professional communication.

Start small — swap one phrase in your next email or assignment. Over time, your writing will gain clarity, confidence, and variety that makes a real difference.