According to alternatives can help your writing sound more natural and less repetitive. The phrase according to is perfectly correct in English but using it again and again can make your sentences feel flat. The best replacement depends on what you mean and who or what provides the information.
For example you might use based on when you are describing evidence or facts. You might choose as stated by when referring to a person or source. In other situations phrases such as as reported by as noted by in the view of or as described by may fit better. The small difference matters because these expressions don’t always carry exactly the same meaning.
The goal isn’t to replace every instance of according to. Good writing uses the phrase when it fits and switches to another expression when a different wording is clearer. This guide explains the strongest alternatives with simple definitions natural examples grammar notes and practical advice for academic professional journalistic and everyday writing. You’ll also learn which replacements work best in formal writing and which ones sound more conversational.
You may also want to read whiny vs whiney: Avoid This Common Spelling Mistake in 2026.
Quick Definition
The best alternative depends on context. Common replacements include based on as stated by as reported by as noted by as described by according to the data in the view of and from the perspective of. Some emphasize a source while others emphasize evidence opinion interpretation or a particular point of view.
Quick Answer
If you need a replacement for according to use an expression that matches the relationship between your sentence and its source. Use based on for evidence or information used to reach a conclusion. Use as stated by or as reported by when identifying a source. Use in the view of when presenting an opinion or perspective. Use as noted by when pointing to something a person or source has already mentioned.
The key is meaning. No single replacement works naturally in every sentence.
What According To Means
According to is a prepositional phrase that identifies the source of information. It tells the reader where a statement idea claim opinion or piece of information comes from.
Consider this sentence.
According to the weather report the storm will arrive tonight.
The phrase identifies the weather report as the source of the information.
You can also use it with a person.
According to Dr. Harris the treatment should begin immediately.
Here the phrase tells the reader that Dr. Harris is the source of the statement.
It can also introduce an organization.
According to the school policy students must submit the form by Friday.
The phrase works naturally in everyday English and formal writing. It is especially common in academic writing journalism reports essays and informational content because writers often need to make the source of a claim clear.
Still repetition can become a problem.
According to the report the sales increased. According to the manager the new plan worked. According to the survey customers prefer the first option.
Nothing is grammatically wrong with these sentences. They simply use the same construction several times. A thoughtful editor may vary the language while preserving the original meaning.
Best Alternatives to According To
Based On
Based on is one of the most useful alternatives when a conclusion or statement comes from evidence information research or observations.
Original: According to the data the company should change its strategy.
Alternative: Based on the data the company should change its strategy.
There is an important distinction. According to identifies the source. Based on emphasizes the foundation for a conclusion.
That difference makes based on especially useful in analytical and professional writing.
You can say:
Based on the survey results the team changed its approach.
Based on the evidence the researchers reached a different conclusion.
Based on current information the meeting may need to be postponed.
This expression works best when the information actively supports the statement that follows.
As Stated By
As stated by directly identifies something said or written by a particular person or source.
Original: According to the director the project will begin next month.
Alternative: As stated by the director the project will begin next month.
This phrase has a formal tone. It works particularly well when you want to emphasize that the wording or position comes from a specific source.
For example:
As stated by the author the policy was introduced in 2019.
As stated by the company the service will remain available.
As stated by the witness the event occurred shortly after noon.
It can sound more formal than according to so you shouldn’t use it simply for variety. Choose it when the source itself matters.
As Reported By
As reported by works well when information comes from journalism news coverage or an official report.
Original: According to local news the bridge will reopen tomorrow.
Alternative: As reported by local news the bridge will reopen tomorrow.
This phrase highlights reporting rather than personal opinion.
You might write:
As reported by the newspaper the investigation is still ongoing.
As reported by officials the road should reopen later today.
As reported by several news outlets the company plans to expand.
The expression is particularly natural in news related writing.
As Noted By
As noted by is useful when a person or source has already pointed out a fact or issue.
Original: According to the researcher the results show a clear pattern.
Alternative: As noted by the researcher the results show a clear pattern.
This wording often feels polished and academic.
You can use it when referring back to an observation.
As noted by the professor the sample size was limited.
As noted by the report the costs increased during the final quarter.
The phrase works best when the source has made an observation rather than simply provided raw information.
As Described By
As described by works well when you are referring to the way someone explains portrays or characterizes something.
For example:
As described by the author the town was quiet and isolated.
As described by the witness the scene was chaotic.
As described by the report the process involves three stages.
This expression focuses on description. That makes it more specific than a general source marker.
In The View Of
In the view of is useful when presenting an opinion judgment or interpretation.
Original: According to the professor the policy is ineffective.
Alternative: In the view of the professor the policy is ineffective.
The second version clearly frames the statement as the professor’s perspective.
This distinction can be valuable in academic and analytical writing because it prevents an opinion from sounding like an established fact.
For example:
In the view of several experts the proposal needs further review.
In the view of the committee the current approach is too expensive.
In the view of many residents the change has improved the neighborhood.
From The Perspective Of
From the perspective of is another strong option when you want to emphasize a particular viewpoint.
From the perspective of a teacher the new system creates extra work.
From the perspective of customers the process is easier.
From the perspective of the researcher the findings are encouraging.
This phrase is especially useful when a topic has multiple viewpoints. It tells readers that the statement reflects a particular position rather than an absolute fact.
As Reported In
As reported in works well when you are referring to a publication or written source.
As reported in the newspaper the company plans to open a new location.
As reported in the study the participants showed improved results.
As reported in the annual review the organization reduced its expenses.
This structure is particularly useful in formal writing because it points readers toward the publication where the information appeared.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Main Meaning | Best Context | Formality | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| According to | Identifies a source | General writing | Neutral | According to the report sales increased. |
| Based on | Shows the evidence or foundation | Analysis and research | Neutral to formal | Based on the evidence the claim seems unlikely. |
| As stated by | Refers directly to a statement | Formal and professional writing | Formal | As stated by the director the plan will continue. |
| As reported by | Identifies reported information | Journalism and reports | Formal | As reported by the newspaper the trial began Monday. |
| As noted by | Points to an observation | Academic and analytical writing | Formal | As noted by the researcher the results vary. |
| As described by | Refers to a description | Reports and storytelling | Neutral to formal | As described by the witness the event was sudden. |
| In the view of | Introduces an opinion | Analysis and discussion | Formal | In the view of the committee the policy needs revision. |
| From the perspective of | Emphasizes a viewpoint | Analysis and comparison | Neutral to formal | From the perspective of users the process is simple. |
How To Choose The Right Alternative
Choosing a replacement becomes much easier once you ask what relationship the source has to your statement.
- Ask if the source provides information. If yes then according to or as reported by may work well.
- Ask if evidence supports your conclusion. If yes then based on is often more precise.
- Ask if you are referring to something someone specifically said. As stated by can be appropriate.
- Ask if someone made an observation. As noted by may sound more natural.
- Ask if the sentence expresses an opinion. In the view of makes that relationship clear.
- Ask if you are emphasizing a particular viewpoint. From the perspective of is a strong choice.
- Ask if you are referring to a description. As described by may be the best fit.
- Ask if you are identifying a publication. As reported in can provide a clear connection.
This approach is more reliable than simply searching for a synonym. Good vocabulary choices depend on meaning and context.
Grammar And Sentence Structure
According to is normally followed by a noun or noun phrase.
According to the report the meeting was canceled.
According to Sarah the store closes at six.
According to recent research the method may be effective.
The phrase doesn’t normally introduce a complete independent clause directly.
Incorrect structure:
According to she the plan will work.
Better:
According to her the plan will work.
Or:
According to what she said the plan will work.
The pronoun after according to should normally appear in its object form.
According to him.
According to her.
According to them.
According to us.
This rule is easy to overlook because English speakers often focus more on the information than the grammatical structure.
The phrase can appear at the beginning of a sentence.
According to the report the company exceeded its target.
It can also appear later.
The company according to the report exceeded its target.
That second structure is possible but less natural in many situations. The introductory position usually makes the source easier to understand.
A comma can be used after an introductory according to phrase when the phrase is clearly functioning as an opening modifier.
According to the report the company exceeded its target.
According to the report, the company exceeded its target.
Punctuation style can vary but clarity should guide the decision.
When Based On Is Better
Based on is often confused with according to because both can introduce information connected to a source.
The distinction becomes clearer when you look at the meaning.
According to the survey customers prefer option A.
This tells us that the survey is the source of the claim.
Based on the survey customers prefer option A.
This suggests that the survey provides the evidence behind the conclusion.
The second sentence presents a stronger connection between evidence and judgment.
You can also use based on without naming a specific person or document.
Based on the available evidence the case appears weak.
Based on our experience the new process should save time.
Based on these results the researchers recommended further testing.
This makes the phrase especially useful in analytical writing.
When As Stated By Is Better
As stated by is more specific when you want to emphasize a person’s exact position or statement.
According to the manager the office will close early.
As stated by the manager the office will close early.
Both sentences work. The second feels more deliberate and formal.
It can be particularly useful when writing about policies official statements or documented positions.
As stated by the agreement all payments must be made within thirty days.
As stated by the organization the program will continue next year.
Use it sparingly in casual conversation because it can sound more formal than necessary.
When In The View Of Is Better
In the view of is useful when a statement reflects judgment rather than objective information.
Compare these sentences.
According to the doctor the treatment is unnecessary.
In the view of the doctor the treatment is unnecessary.
The second version emphasizes that this is the doctor’s professional judgment.
This distinction matters in careful writing. A writer should not accidentally present one person’s opinion as a universal fact.
You can also use the phrase for groups.
In the view of the committee the proposal is too expensive.
In the view of local residents the change has caused problems.
The expression gives readers a clear signal about perspective.
Formal Alternatives For Academic Writing
Academic writing benefits from precise source language. Repeating the same phrase can make a paragraph sound mechanical so controlled variation helps.
Useful choices include based on as noted by as reported in as described by and in the view of.
For example:
According to the study the participants showed improved memory.
As noted by the researchers the participants showed improved memory.
Based on the results the researchers concluded that the method was effective.
As reported in the study the participants showed improved memory.
These sentences aren’t identical in meaning. Each one emphasizes a different relationship between the source and the statement.
Academic writing also benefits from attribution verbs.
The researchers found that the method was effective.
The author argues that the policy needs revision.
The study suggests that the treatment may help some patients.
The report indicates that costs increased.
These constructions can sometimes replace a source phrase completely. They also make the sentence more direct.
A related grammar guide is hustle or hussle Correct Spelling and Meaning.
Alternatives For Professional Emails
Workplace writing usually benefits from simple direct language.
Instead of repeatedly writing:
According to the client the deadline has changed.
You might write:
The client confirmed that the deadline has changed.
The client reported that the deadline has changed.
The client explained that the deadline has changed.
The client stated that the deadline has changed.
These versions often sound more active and professional.
Consider another example.
According to our records your payment was received yesterday.
A natural alternative is:
Our records show that your payment was received yesterday.
This version is concise and direct. It also makes the source clear without using a repeated introductory phrase.
Another option is:
Our records indicate that your payment was received yesterday.
That wording can sound especially natural in formal business communication.
Alternatives For Everyday Conversation
In casual speech you often don’t need a formal substitute at all.
Instead of:
According to John the movie starts at seven.
You might say:
John says the movie starts at seven.
Instead of:
According to my sister the restaurant is closed.
You could say:
My sister says the restaurant is closed.
These versions sound more conversational because they use an active reporting verb.
Common choices include says says that told me mentioned explained and thinks.
For example:
My friend said the store closes early.
Sarah told me the meeting starts at nine.
James thinks the restaurant is better on weekdays.
These structures are often more natural than formal source phrases in everyday English.
Alternatives In News Writing
News writing frequently needs clear attribution. Journalists may use several constructions depending on the source.
Officials said the road would reopen Friday.
Police reported that the investigation was continuing.
The report found that costs had increased.
The newspaper reported that the company planned to expand.
The study showed that the results varied across groups.
These forms are often more active than repeatedly beginning sentences with according to.
There is also a useful distinction between what a source says and what evidence demonstrates.
Officials said the policy would reduce costs.
The analysis showed that costs actually increased.
The first sentence attributes a claim. The second presents a finding. Precise attribution helps readers understand the difference.
Sentence Examples
Here are ten natural examples showing different ways to replace the phrase.
- Based on the available evidence the team changed its recommendation.
- As stated by the director the program will continue through December.
- As reported by the newspaper the company plans to open two new stores.
- As noted by the researcher the results require further review.
- As described by the witness the incident happened very quickly.
- In the view of the committee the proposal needs more work.
- From the perspective of customers the new system is easier to use.
- As reported in the study the participants showed different responses.
- Our records indicate that the payment was received yesterday.
- The manager confirmed that the meeting would begin at nine.
Each example works because the wording matches the relationship between the information and its source.
Common Mistakes
Treating Every Alternative As A Direct Synonym
The biggest mistake is assuming every replacement has exactly the same meaning. Based on focuses on evidence while in the view of emphasizes opinion. As reported by focuses on reported information.
Choosing a phrase only because it sounds different can weaken accuracy.
Using Based On For A Simple Attribution
Consider:
Based on John the meeting starts at nine.
This doesn’t sound natural because John is being treated like evidence rather than a source.
Better:
According to John the meeting starts at nine.
Or:
John says the meeting starts at nine.
Making An Opinion Sound Like A Fact
According to the professor the policy is unfair.
This can be fine but in analytical writing you may want to make the opinion clearer.
In the view of the professor the policy is unfair.
That wording makes the perspective explicit.
Overusing Formal Expressions
As stated by can sound stiff in a casual conversation.
Instead of:
As stated by my brother the restaurant is closed.
Say:
My brother says the restaurant is closed.
The best writing isn’t always the most formal writing. It’s the writing that fits the situation.
Using A Source Phrase When A Strong Verb Is Better
According to the report sales increased.
The report showed that sales increased.
The second sentence is often stronger because the subject performs the action. This active structure can make professional writing cleaner and easier to read.
Pronunciation And Usage
The phrase according to is commonly pronounced approximately /əˈkɔrdɪŋ tə/ in American English.
The first word usually receives the main stress around the second syllable of according. In natural speech the word to is often reduced and sounds closer to tuh.
The alternatives have their own pronunciation patterns but most are straightforward for American English speakers.
Based on is pronounced clearly in most contexts.
As stated by places stronger emphasis on stated.
As reported by emphasizes reported.
In the view of naturally places stress on view when the speaker wants to highlight perspective.
Pronunciation matters less here than choosing the expression that matches the intended meaning. If a phrase sounds unusually formal in a casual sentence that can be a useful signal that a simpler construction would work better.
Regional Usage
American English
American English uses according to very widely in everyday conversation formal writing journalism academic work and business communication. The alternatives discussed here are also standard. American writers often prefer direct reporting verbs in conversational and professional contexts because they create shorter more active sentences.
British English
British English uses the same core phrase and the same major alternatives. There is no important spelling difference here. Expressions such as as stated by based on as noted by and in the view of are all familiar in British formal writing.
Australian English
Australian English also uses these constructions naturally. Differences tend to come from writing style and context rather than from a different grammatical rule. Finally the choice between alternatives depends mainly on the relationship between the source and the information.
Canadian English
Canadian English follows broadly the same usage patterns. Writers can use according to and its alternatives in academic professional journalistic and everyday contexts. There is no major Canadian variant that changes the basic grammar of these expressions.
Related Terms And Expressions
Reported By
Reported by identifies information that has been communicated through a report or news source.
Stated By
Stated by emphasizes a specific statement made by a person or organization.
Based On
Based on identifies evidence or information that supports a conclusion.
According To The Data
This expression specifically identifies data as the source of information.
In The View Of
In the view of signals a particular opinion or judgment.
From The Perspective Of
This phrase highlights the viewpoint of a person group or role.
As Noted By
As noted by points to an observation already made by a source.
As Described By
As described by focuses on how a person or source portrays or explains something.
These expressions are related but they aren’t interchangeable in every sentence. Meaning should always come before variation.
How To Avoid Repetition Without Forcing Synonyms
Good editing isn’t a game of replacing every repeated word. Some phrases are repeated because they are the clearest choice.
If a paragraph contains according to several times you can first look for stronger sentence structures.
For example:
According to the report sales increased. According to the manager customers were satisfied. According to the survey employees wanted more training.
A smoother version might be:
The report showed that sales increased. The manager said customers were satisfied. The survey indicated that employees wanted more training.
Notice what happened. The writer didn’t simply swap according to for three fancy expressions. Instead each sentence uses a verb that explains what the source actually did.
This is often the best editing solution.
A report can show or indicate.
A manager can say or explain.
A survey can reveal or indicate.
A researcher can find observe or conclude.
An author can argue claim suggest or describe.
These verbs make sentences more active and can reduce repetition naturally.
Expert Editor Insight
A strong editor doesn’t replace according to simply to make every sentence look different. The better approach is to ask what the source actually contributes. If a report provides evidence then based on may be more precise. If a person expresses an opinion then in the view of may clarify the meaning. If a source makes a direct statement then stated by can work. In many cases an active reporting verb such as said showed reported found or explained creates the cleanest sentence. The best alternative is the one that improves meaning rather than simply changing vocabulary.
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Conclusion
According to alternatives give you more ways to express source information without making your writing repetitive. The strongest choice depends on meaning. Use based on when evidence supports a conclusion. Use as stated by for a specific statement. Choose as reported by for reported information and in the view of for an opinion or perspective.
You don’t need to remove according to from your writing. It’s a useful and completely standard expression. The real goal is precision. A sentence such as the report showed that sales increased can often be stronger than a sentence beginning with a source phrase. Active verbs also make professional and academic writing easier to read.
As a final editing tip read the paragraph aloud and look for repeated structures. If the same phrase appears several times ask what each source actually did. Then choose a verb or alternative that expresses that relationship clearly.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to according to?
There isn’t one universal replacement. Based on works well when evidence supports a conclusion. As stated by fits a specific statement. As reported by suits news or reported information. In the view of works for opinions. For everyday English an active phrase such as says or told me often sounds more natural. Choose the expression that matches the source relationship.
Can I use based on instead of according to?
Sometimes you can but the two phrases don’t always mean exactly the same thing. According to identifies a source while based on usually shows that evidence or information forms the foundation of a conclusion. For example according to the report identifies the report as a source. Based on the report suggests that the report supports the following conclusion.
What is a formal alternative to according to?
Several formal options are available. As stated by is useful for a direct statement. As noted by works well for an observation. As reported by fits reported information. In the view of can introduce an opinion. As reported in is useful when referring to a publication. The right choice depends on the exact meaning and context of the sentence.
What can I use instead of according to in academic writing?
Academic writing can use based on as noted by as reported in as described by and in the view of. Direct reporting verbs can also make academic sentences stronger. For example instead of according to the study the results were significant you could write the study found that the results were significant. This approach often produces clearer and more active prose.
What is a casual alternative to according to?
In casual conversation you can often use a simple reporting phrase. Try says told me mentioned explained or thinks. For example instead of according to Sarah the restaurant is closed you can say Sarah says the restaurant is closed. This sounds more natural in everyday speech and avoids a formal tone that may feel unnecessary.
Is according to appropriate in formal writing?
Yes. According to is completely acceptable in formal writing. It is common in academic papers reports business documents journalism and other forms of professional communication. You don’t need to avoid it simply because you want your writing to sound sophisticated. The main issue is repetition. If the same phrase appears several times close together use a more precise construction when one is available.
How can I avoid repeating according to?
First look at the role of the source in each sentence. A report may show or indicate something. A researcher may find or observe something. A person may say or explain something. A conclusion may be based on evidence. Rewriting the sentence around an active verb is often more natural than replacing one source phrase with another.
Which alternative sounds most natural in American English?
The most natural choice depends on the situation. In conversation Americans often use simple reporting verbs such as says told me and explained. In professional writing based on and the report shows are common. Academic writing may use as noted by or the study found. There is no single replacement that sounds best in every context.