Another Word for According: 23 Useful Alternatives

Depending on the context, alternatives for according include as stated by, based on, in line with, consistent with, as reported by, following, pursuant to, and in agreement with.

The word “according” is commonly used when we refer to information, rules, opinions, or sources. For example, we might say, “According to the teacher, the test is tomorrow,” or “According to the report, sales have increased.” While according to is natural and correct, repeating it too often can make writing sound less varied.

Learning alternatives can help students, English learners, writers, and speakers express the same idea more precisely. The best alternative depends on what you mean. Some choices introduce information from a person or source, while others show that something follows a rule, plan, or standard.

In this article, you will learn 23 useful alternatives for according, along with their meanings, parts of speech, examples, and usage differences.

Meaning of According

Definition and Part of Speech

According is commonly used in the phrase “according to,” meaning as stated, reported, or believed by someone or something.

Part of speech: Preposition phrase / adverbial expression

Example 1: According to the teacher, the homework is due tomorrow.
Example 2: According to the news, the weather will improve.

Connotative Meaning

Connotation means the feeling or idea associated with a word beyond its basic meaning.

Type	Connotation
Positive	Can suggest reliable or carefully sourced information
Negative	May sound distant if overused
Neutral	Simply identifies the source of information

Etymology of According

The word according comes from the verb accord, which developed from Old French acorder, meaning “to agree” or “to be in harmony.”

• Old English: The modern word according did not exist in its current form.
• Middle English: Accord entered English through Anglo-French and Old French.
• Modern English: According to became a common expression meaning “as stated or reported by.”

Pronunciation of According

According: /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

Syllables: ac-cord-ing → 3 syllables

Affixation Pattern

The word according comes from the verb accord with the suffix -ing.

• Root: accord
• Prefix: none
• Suffix: -ing
• Verb: accord
• Present participle: according
• Common phrase: according to

23 Other Words and Phrases for According

1. As Stated By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on what a person or source has said.

• As stated by the teacher, the exam begins at nine.
• As stated by the report, the project is nearly complete.

2. As Reported By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on information provided by a source.

• As reported by the newspaper, the event was successful.
• As reported by officials, the road has reopened.

3. Based On

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Using something as the main source or reason.

• Based on the evidence, the decision was changed.
• The story is based on real events.

4. In Line With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Following or agreeing with a rule, plan, or standard.

• The decision is in line with company policy.
• Her actions were in line with the instructions.

5. Consistent With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Agreeing with something or not contradicting it.

• His answer is consistent with the evidence.
• The results are consistent with earlier research.

6. In Agreement With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Showing agreement with an idea, rule, or statement.

• Her opinion is in agreement with the report.
• The plan is in agreement with the new guidelines.

7. As Per

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: In accordance with something.

• As per the instructions, complete every question.
• As per the schedule, the meeting starts at ten.

8. In Accordance With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Following a rule, requirement, or agreement.

• The work was completed in accordance with the rules.
• The procedure was performed in accordance with safety guidelines.

9. Following

Part of speech: Preposition
Meaning: In accordance with or after something.

• Following the instructions, she completed the task.
• The changes were made following the new policy.

10. Pursuant To

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: In accordance with a law, order, or official requirement.

• The action was taken pursuant to the agreement.
• The records were released pursuant to the court order.

11. As Noted By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: As pointed out or mentioned by someone.

• As noted by the researcher, the results need further study.
• As noted by the teacher, the answer requires correction.

12. As Mentioned By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on something previously said by someone.

• As mentioned by the manager, the office will close early.
• As mentioned by the author, the method has limitations.

13. As Explained By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on someone’s explanation.

• As explained by the doctor, the process takes time.
• As explained by the teacher, the formula is simple.

14. As Described By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: In the way a person or source describes something.

• As described by the writer, the city was beautiful.
• As described by the report, the situation was improving.

15. In Keeping With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Matching or agreeing with something.

• The decision was in keeping with the policy.
• Her behavior was in keeping with the rules.

16. In Accord With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: In agreement with something.

• The decision was in accord with the law.
• His actions were in accord with the agreement.

17. In Conformity With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Following an established rule, standard, or practice.

• The building was designed in conformity with regulations.
• The process operates in conformity with the guidelines.

18. In Compliance With

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Following a rule, law, or requirement.

• The company acted in compliance with the law.
• The equipment was installed in compliance with safety standards.

19. On the Authority of

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Based on information or permission from an official source.

• The announcement was made on the authority of the director.
• The decision was made on the authority of the committee.

20. As Confirmed By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on information that has been verified by a source.

• As confirmed by the school, the event is tomorrow.
• As confirmed by officials, the road is open.

21. As Indicated By

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: As shown or suggested by evidence or information.

• As indicated by the results, the method worked.
• As indicated by the chart, sales increased.

22. In Accordance To

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Intended to express following a rule or instruction.

• The work was completed in accordance with the instructions.
• The process was performed in accordance with the guidelines.

Note: The standard phrase is “in accordance with,” not “in accordance to.”

23. As Per the Source

Part of speech: Phrase
Meaning: Based on information provided by a particular source.

• As per the source, the event starts at noon.
• As per the source, the figures were updated recently.

Important: These alternatives do not all mean exactly the same thing. According to, as stated by, and as reported by usually introduce information from a source. In accordance with, in compliance with, and pursuant to usually refer to following rules, laws, or requirements. Choose the phrase that matches your intended meaning and level of formality.

Prototype Meaning

The prototype meaning of “according to” is based on what a person, document, or source says or reports.

For example:

“According to the teacher, the exam is Friday.”

The phrase tells us where the information comes from.

Prototype Categorization

Category	Alternatives
Source of information	as stated by, as reported by, as noted by
Evidence	based on, as indicated by, as confirmed by
Rules and requirements	in accordance with, in compliance with, pursuant to
Agreement	consistent with, in agreement with, in accord with
Instructions	following, as per, in line with

This grouping helps you select a phrase based on whether you are referring to a source, evidence, rule, agreement, or instruction.

Antonyms of According To

Because according to means following or relying on a source, its opposites depend on context.

1. Contrary To

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Opposite to or in conflict with something.

• His actions were contrary to the rules.
• The result was contrary to expectations.

2. Regardless Of

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Without being affected by something.

• We continued regardless of the weather.
• She completed the task regardless of the difficulty.

3. Independently Of

Part of speech: Prepositional phrase
Meaning: Without depending on something.

• The decision was made independently of the report.
• The results were analyzed independently of the original study.

Short Questions and Answers

What is another word for “according to”?

Common alternatives include as stated by, as reported by, based on, and as noted by.

What is a formal alternative to “according to”?

In accordance with works when referring to rules or requirements, while as reported by can work when referring to a source.

Is “based on” the same as “according to”?

They can be similar, but they are not always interchangeable. According to usually identifies a source, while based on usually identifies the information or evidence used as a foundation.

What does “according to” mean?

It means as stated, reported, or believed by a particular person or source.

Can “according to” refer to rules?

Yes. For example: “According to school rules, students must wear uniforms.”

What is the opposite of “according to”?

There is no single exact opposite. Depending on the context, phrases such as contrary to or independently of may express an opposite idea.

Conclusion

The phrase “according to” is a useful way to introduce information from a source or refer to a rule or standard. However, English provides many alternatives that can make your writing more precise. As stated by, as reported by, as noted by, and as confirmed by work well when identifying sources. For rules and requirements, phrases such as in accordance with, in compliance with, pursuant to, and in line with are often more suitable.

Choosing the right alternative depends on the meaning you want to express. By practicing these phrases in different sentences, you can make your English writing clearer, more varied, and more natural.