When writing an email, essay, or even a heartfelt note, finding the right words to express According to can truly make a huge difference in how your message sounds. Other Ways to Say “According To” (With Examples) can help you communicate with clarity, personality, and care, giving your writing a thoughtful, natural, and engaging tone.
In a workplace or personal conversation, it’s necessary to remind a colleague as per our recently shared conversation. Using alternative expressions enriches your language and style, offering varied examples, scenarios, and tones that fit the situation. Exploring other alternatives, simply adding variety, providing clarity, and improving skills will support communicating effectively while keeping your points professional, friendly, thoughtful, and natural.
Did You Know (Other Ways to Say “According To”)
The phrase “according to” is one of the most frequently used attribution phrases in English. It helps writers show that information comes from a source, such as a report, person, study, or official statement.
In professional writing, using a variety of phrases improves clarity, avoids repetition, and makes your content more SEO-friendly by naturally adding LSI and NLP keywords like reported by, cited in, based on, stated by, and as indicated by.
What Does “According To” Mean?
“According to” means “as stated or reported by someone or something.” It shows that the information you are sharing is not your personal opinion, but something you learned from a reliable source.
It is widely used in news, research, business communication, academic writing, and everyday conversation to give credit and credibility.
Professional or Political Way to Say “According To”
In professional or political communication, writers prefer alternatives that sound more official and authoritative, such as:
- As stated by
- As reported by
- As confirmed by
- As outlined in
- In accordance with
- On the authority of
- As documented in
These expressions help you sound more formal, neutral, and credible—especially in speeches, reports, and official press statements.
“According To” Synonyms
- As per
- Based on
- As stated by
- As reported by
- In the words of
- As mentioned by
- As cited in
- As noted by
- As outlined in
- As indicated by
- As explained by
- As described by
- Per
- In line with
- In accordance with
- In keeping with
- Following
- As observed by
- As claimed by
- As confirmed by
- As revealed by
- As suggested by
- As argued by
- As shown by
- As demonstrated by
- As documented in
- As referenced in
- From the perspective of
- By the account of
- On the authority of
1. As per
Definition: As per means “in accordance with” a rule, request, or instruction. It is often used in business and formal communication.
Meanings: in compliance with / as requested / as instructed
Example: As per your request, I’ve attached the updated file.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is extremely common in professional emails and corporate settings. It makes your writing sound clear, formal, and structured. However, it may sound stiff in casual conversation. Use it when you want to reference a prior message, policy, or instruction without sounding emotional.
Tone: Formal, professional
Best use: Business emails, workplace communication, contracts
2. Based on
Definition: Based on means something is supported by facts, evidence, or reference material. It shows that a conclusion comes from a foundation of information.
Meanings: derived from / supported by / built from
Example: Based on the survey results, most customers prefer online support.
Detailed Explanation: This is one of the strongest alternatives to “according to” because it suggests logic and evidence. It works perfectly in academic writing, SEO blog posts, research papers, and reports. It also feels natural in speech. If you want your statement to sound reliable and data-driven, this is a top choice.
Tone: Neutral, professional
Best use: Reports, research writing, data-driven content
3. As stated by
Definition: As stated by means “as clearly said or written by someone.” It directly attributes a statement to a person or authority.
Meanings: as said by / as written by / as declared by
Example: As stated by the CEO, the company will expand next year.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is strong because it sounds official and direct. It is commonly used in news articles, press releases, and formal documentation. It also helps avoid confusion because it clearly shows who the information belongs to. Use it when quoting someone with authority.
Tone: Formal, authoritative
Best use: Official writing, news reporting, press releases
4. As reported by
Definition: As reported by means the information was shared by a news source or publication. It is used when citing media, journalists, or reporting agencies.
Meanings: as covered by / as published by / as announced by
Example: As reported by local media, the roads will remain closed today.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase works best when your source is a newspaper, website, TV channel, or journalist. It adds credibility while also showing that the information may be subject to updates. It’s especially useful in journalism-style writing and SEO content that references trending topics.
Tone: Neutral, journalistic
Best use: News articles, blogs, media-based information
5. In the words of
Definition: In the words of introduces a quote or exact wording from someone. It highlights the speaker’s original language.
Meanings: quoting / directly repeating / using someone’s phrasing
Example: In the words of the author, “Success is built through patience.”
Detailed Explanation: This phrase feels elegant, natural, and slightly literary. It’s perfect when you want to quote someone in a respectful way. It works well in speeches, essays, and inspirational writing. It also adds emotional weight because it focuses on the person’s own words rather than just the message.
Tone: Formal, respectful, literary
Best use: Quotes, speeches, essays, motivational writing
6. As mentioned by
Definition: As mentioned by means the person briefly referred to something earlier. It is used to point back to a previous statement or comment.
Meanings: as said earlier / as referred to / as brought up
Example: As mentioned by the manager, the deadline has been moved forward.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is flexible and works in both formal and casual writing. It’s especially useful when referencing something that was not a full “statement” but was casually brought up. It also helps with flow in longer writing because it connects your ideas smoothly.
Tone: Neutral, conversational
Best use: Meetings, blogs, workplace updates, discussions
7. As cited in
Definition: As cited in means the information is referenced inside a book, report, or paper. It is commonly used in academic and research writing.
Meanings: referenced in / quoted in / documented in
Example: As cited in the research paper, the findings were statistically significant.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is ideal for academic writing and formal research. It signals that the information is not random—it is properly referenced. It also helps you avoid repeating “according to” multiple times in scholarly content. Use it when your writing includes citations, sources, or bibliography.
Tone: Academic, formal
Best use: Research papers, academic writing, citations
8. As noted by
Definition: As noted by means someone pointed something out or highlighted it. It often suggests an important observation.
Meanings: as pointed out by / as highlighted by / as observed by
Example: As noted by the analyst, the market is showing signs of recovery.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is commonly used in formal writing and professional analysis. It gives the impression that the source is thoughtful and credible. It also works well when the source is explaining something important rather than simply reporting facts. Use it when you want your reference to sound insightful.
Tone: Professional, analytical
Best use: Reports, commentary, business analysis
9. As outlined in
Definition: As outlined in means something is explained in a structured way in a document. It often refers to plans, policies, or official guidelines.
Meanings: as explained in / as detailed in / as listed in
Example: As outlined in the policy, employees must follow safety procedures.
Detailed Explanation: This is a strong professional alternative because it sounds organized and official. It is often used in government, HR documents, business rules, and official instructions. If you are referencing something written in a clear format (like a plan or document), this phrase fits perfectly.
Tone: Formal, official
Best use: Policies, guidelines, business documents
10. As indicated by
Definition: As indicated by means evidence or signs show something is true. It suggests a logical conclusion from data.
Meanings: shown by / suggested by / signaled by
Example: As indicated by the chart, sales increased in the last quarter.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is excellent for data-based writing and reports. It makes your statement sound factual and backed by evidence. It is also common in academic and scientific writing. Use it when referencing graphs, results, statistics, or measurable proof.
Tone: Formal, evidence-based
Best use: Data analysis, research, reports
11. As explained by
Definition: As explained by means someone provided a clear explanation of something. It focuses on understanding rather than just stating facts.
Meanings: as clarified by / as described by / as interpreted by
Example: As explained by the professor, the concept is easier than it seems.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is useful when the source is teaching or clarifying something. It is especially common in educational writing, blogs, and tutorials. It also sounds friendly and human, making it great for content meant for readers who want simple explanations.
Tone: Helpful, educational
Best use: Tutorials, blogs, educational content
12. As described by
Definition: As described by means someone gave a description of something. It often refers to experiences, events, or details.
Meanings: as portrayed by / as narrated by / as detailed by
Example: As described by witnesses, the event was chaotic.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is useful when the source is giving descriptive information, not necessarily facts or statistics. It works in storytelling, journalism, and reports. It also feels slightly dramatic, making it good for narrative writing.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best use: Journalism, storytelling, witness accounts
13. Per
Definition: Per is a short formal word meaning “according to.” It is used to reference rules, instructions, or sources quickly.
Meanings: according to / as per / in reference to
Example: Per the contract, payment is due by Friday.
Detailed Explanation: “Per” is common in legal, business, and technical writing. It saves space and sounds professional, but it can feel too stiff in casual conversation. Use it when writing formal documents or short, direct statements.
Tone: Formal, legal
Best use: Contracts, policies, professional documents
14. In line with
Definition: In line with means something matches or agrees with a source or standard. It shows alignment with rules, trends, or expectations.
Meanings: consistent with / aligned with / matching
Example: In line with company standards, the report was reviewed twice.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is common in corporate writing because it sounds smooth and professional. It works best when you want to show that an action or decision follows a guideline or pattern. It also fits well in reports, presentations, and official emails.
Tone: Professional, formal
Best use: Corporate writing, business reports, HR communication
15. In accordance with
Definition: In accordance with means strictly following a rule, law, or instruction. It is a very formal phrase.
Meanings: in compliance with / following / obeying
Example: In accordance with the law, all citizens must register.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is often used in legal writing, government communication, and official announcements. It sounds serious and authoritative. If you want to emphasize that something is required or regulated, this is one of the best choices.
Tone: Very formal, official
Best use: Legal writing, government policies, formal notices
Read This : 30 Other Ways to Say “You’re Welcome” (With Examples)
16. In keeping with
Definition: In keeping with means something fits a tradition, style, or expectation. It suggests consistency over time.
Meanings: consistent with / matching / following tradition
Example: In keeping with tradition, the ceremony began at sunrise.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is often used in cultural, historical, and formal writing. It feels refined and elegant. It is perfect when referencing traditions, values, or long-standing practices. It can also be used in formal business writing to show consistency with company culture.
Tone: Formal, traditional
Best use: Cultural writing, traditions, formal speeches
17. Following
Definition: Following means “after” or “based on” a certain event, report, or instruction. It is a simple alternative to “according to.”
Meanings: after / based on / as a result of
Example: Following the report, the company updated its strategy.
Detailed Explanation: This word is short, natural, and easy to use in both writing and speech. It works best when your sentence is showing cause and effect. It also keeps your writing smooth without sounding overly formal.
Tone: Neutral, professional
Best use: Reports, business writing, casual explanations
18. As observed by
Definition: As observed by means someone noticed something through direct observation. It often suggests careful attention.
Meanings: as noticed by / as seen by / as witnessed by
Example: As observed by the researchers, the behavior changed over time.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is ideal for scientific, research, and analytical writing. It implies that the source is credible because they personally saw or studied the situation. Use it when describing findings, patterns, or real-time observations.
Tone: Academic, analytical
Best use: Research papers, observations, scientific reports
19. As claimed by
Definition: As claimed by means someone says something is true, but it may not be confirmed. It often implies uncertainty.
Meanings: as alleged by / as stated by / as asserted by
Example: As claimed by the witness, the suspect left early.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is very useful when you want to remain neutral. It is often used in journalism, legal writing, and debates. It protects you from stating something as a fact when it is still only a claim.
Tone: Neutral, cautious
Best use: News writing, legal writing, controversial topics
20. As confirmed by
Definition: As confirmed by means the information has been verified by a trusted source. It suggests strong credibility.
Meanings: verified by / proven by / validated by
Example: As confirmed by officials, the meeting will take place tomorrow.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase adds authority and trust to your writing. It is often used in news and professional communication when information is officially verified. Use it when you want readers to feel confident that the information is accurate.
Tone: Formal, trustworthy
Best use: Official updates, news, verified information
21. As revealed by
Definition: As revealed by means information was uncovered or made known. It often sounds dramatic or investigative.
Meanings: disclosed by / uncovered by / shown by
Example: As revealed by the investigation, several errors were found.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is powerful for storytelling, journalism, and investigative writing. It creates curiosity and adds intensity. Use it when referencing findings from reports, investigations, surveys, or leaked information.
Tone: Dramatic, journalistic
Best use: Investigations, reports, storytelling
22. As suggested by
Definition: As suggested by means evidence or ideas hint at something. It is less direct than “confirmed.”
Meanings: implied by / indicated by / hinted by
Example: As suggested by the data, customer satisfaction is improving.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is perfect when the evidence is not 100% certain. It sounds scientific and careful. It is common in academic writing and analysis. Use it when you want to sound logical without making a strong claim.
Tone: Analytical, cautious
Best use: Research, reports, careful conclusions
23. As argued by
Definition: As argued by means someone presented reasoning to support an idea. It is used for debates and opinions.
Meanings: as reasoned by / as defended by / as stated in argument
Example: As argued by experts, education reform is urgently needed.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is often used in academic writing, essays, and opinion articles. It shows that the source is presenting reasoning rather than just facts. It works best when referencing viewpoints, debates, and persuasive writing.
Tone: Formal, academic
Best use: Essays, debates, opinion writing
24. As shown by
Definition: As shown by means evidence clearly displays something. It often refers to results, proof, or visuals.
Meanings: demonstrated by / proven by / displayed by
Example: As shown by the results, the method is highly effective.
Detailed Explanation: This is a simple, powerful alternative to “according to.” It is commonly used in research, reports, and presentations. It makes your writing feel evidence-based and clear. It also works well in everyday writing when referencing something obvious.
Tone: Neutral, factual
Best use: Reports, presentations, results-based writing
25. As demonstrated by
Definition: As demonstrated by means something has been clearly proven through evidence or example. It is stronger than “suggested.”
Meanings: proven by / shown by / illustrated by
Example: As demonstrated by the experiment, the theory holds true.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is very common in academic writing because it shows strong support. It implies proof through action, data, or examples. Use it when your source is not just saying something but showing it clearly.
Tone: Formal, academic
Best use: Research, academic writing, proof-based statements
26. As documented in
Definition: As documented in means the information is officially recorded in a document. It suggests reliability and evidence.
Meanings: recorded in / written in / officially noted in
Example: As documented in the report, the project faced several delays.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase works best when referencing official records, reports, case files, or historical documents. It adds credibility because it implies the information exists in writing. It’s perfect for professional, academic, and legal contexts.
Tone: Formal, official
Best use: Reports, documentation, legal and academic writing
27. As referenced in
Definition: As referenced in means something is mentioned or linked inside another source. It is used when pointing readers to a citation.
Meanings: mentioned in / cited in / referred to in
Example: As referenced in the handbook, employees must submit weekly updates.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is very helpful in structured writing where you refer readers to another section or source. It keeps your writing professional and organized. Use it when citing manuals, books, documents, or official guidelines.
Tone: Professional, formal
Best use: Manuals, handbooks, structured documents
28. From the perspective of
Definition: From the perspective of means the statement is based on someone’s viewpoint. It highlights interpretation rather than fact.
Meanings: from the viewpoint of / in the opinion of / as seen by
Example: From the perspective of customers, fast delivery matters most.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is excellent for discussions, psychology writing, culture-based topics, and opinion pieces. It helps you express that something is not universal truth but a viewpoint. It also adds depth and emotional intelligence to your writing.
Tone: Thoughtful, reflective
Best use: Opinion writing, discussions, analysis
29. By the account of
Definition: By the account of means “as told by” someone. It is often used in storytelling or witness reporting.
Meanings: as narrated by / as reported by / as told by
Example: By the account of locals, the area was once peaceful.
Detailed Explanation: This phrase feels narrative and human. It is commonly used in storytelling, interviews, historical writing, and journalism. It adds a personal touch because it focuses on someone’s experience rather than formal evidence.
Tone: Narrative, descriptive
Best use: Storytelling, interviews, witness statements
30. On the authority of
Definition: On the authority of means the statement is supported by a highly trusted source. It suggests strong credibility and confidence.
Meanings: supported by / backed by / relying on expert authority
Example: On the authority of medical experts, the treatment is safe.
Detailed Explanation: This is a powerful phrase used in formal writing and serious communication. It shows that the information comes from a highly credible authority. It’s perfect for government, health, legal, and professional contexts where trust matters.
Tone: Formal, authoritative
Best use: Official statements, serious reports, expert-backed claims
FAQs :
Q1: What does “According to” mean?
According to is a phrase used when referencing sources, attributing information, or explaining what someone else said.
Q2: Why should I use alternatives to “According to”?
Using alternative expressions helps avoid repetitive and formal tone, making your communication more natural, friendly, and engaging.
Q3: Can I use these alternatives in emails or essays?
Yes, finding the right words to express According to in writing, emails, essays, or notes makes a huge difference in how your message sounds.
Q4: How many alternatives should I use at once?
It’s best to explore a few other ways to say it per paragraph, adding variety and clarity without overcomplicating your speech or writing.
Q5: Are these alternatives suitable for professional settings?
Absolutely. Professional, friendly, or casual situations all benefit from thoughtful, caring, and well-chosen words, helping you communicate effectively.
Conclusion :
Finding the right words to express According to is not just about style, it enriches your communication, makes your message clear, thoughtful, and engaging, and supports both personal and professional interactions. Exploring other alternatives allows you to add variety, tone, and personality, helping your writing or speech sound natural, friendly, and effective.
Emily Carter is the voice behind EnglishSharpMind.com, helping learners sharpen their English skills through clear, practical, and confidence-building guidance.
