21 Better Ways to Say "According To" (Spice Up Your Writing!)

Ever feel like you are overusing ‘according to’ in your writing? You are not alone! It is one of those phrases that sneaks into everything—from emails to essays. But guess what? There are tons of other ways to say it that can make your writing sound fresher and more polished. Let’s dive into 21 fun and creative alternatives to keep things interesting!

21 Better Ways to Say ‘According To’ (Spice Up Your Writing!)

1. As per

“As per” is a simple way to say that something follows a rule, report, or source. It means the information comes from another place or person. For example, if a company says, “As per the policy, all employees must arrive by 9 AM,” it means the rule about arriving at 9 AM comes from the company’s policy. People often use “as per” in formal writing or when they want to sound professional. It helps to show that the information is not their own but is based on a guide, rule, or someone else’s words.

2. Based on

“Based on” means the information comes from a certain source, fact, or idea. It is often used when you want to explain that your thoughts or actions are connected to something else. For example, “Based on the weather report, it will rain tomorrow” means that the weather report says rain is likely. This phrase helps people understand that what you are saying is not just your opinion but is supported by something real. It is useful in both casual and formal situations when you want to explain the reason or source of your information.

3. In line with

“In line with” means something agrees with or follows a rule, idea, or standard. People use this phrase when they want to show that their actions or thoughts match a specific guideline or belief. For example, “In line with school rules, students must wear uniforms” means the uniform rule follows the school’s guidelines. It is common in formal writing, like business or legal documents, because it shows clear agreement with rules or instructions. This phrase helps connect your statement to an accepted rule or policy clearly and simply.

4. By

“By” is a small but important word that can mean “according to” when you refer to a source or person. For example, “By the teacher’s instructions, homework is due on Friday” means the teacher said homework must be finished by that day. This word is useful because it is short and easy to understand. You can use “by” when you want to show who or what is giving the information or the rule. It is a simple way to point to the source without using longer phrases, and it works well in both speaking and writing.

5. From

“From” is a basic word that can also mean “according to” when you are talking about where information comes from. For example, “From the news, the road is closed” means the news says the road is closed. It shows the source of the information in a very simple way. This word is easy to use in everyday speech and writing. It helps people understand that you are not giving your own opinion but sharing information from someone or something else. “From” is a clear and direct way to point to the source of your facts or ideas.

6. As reported by

“As reported by” means the information comes from a news source, person, or official report. It is useful when you want to tell others where you got the information. For example, “As reported by the newspaper, there was a big fire downtown” means the newspaper shared news about a fire. This phrase is common in news, research, and formal writing because it shows that you are sharing someone else’s information. It also helps people know that your statement is based on a trusted source, not just your opinion or guess.

7. As stated by

“As stated by” means you are repeating what someone else said. It is a formal way to share information from another person or source. For example, “As stated by the doctor, exercise is important for health” means the doctor said exercise is good for staying healthy. This phrase is useful when you want to give credit to the person who shared the information. It helps people know where your facts come from. This is often used in reports, news, and school writing because it clearly connects your words to a reliable source.

8. As mentioned by

“As mentioned by” is a phrase that means someone else talked about the information before. It is useful when you want to show that your statement comes from another person or source. For example, “As mentioned by the teacher, the test will be next week” means the teacher already said the test is next week. This phrase is common in conversations, reports, and presentations. It helps people know where the information comes from and shows that you are not making it up. It also makes your writing or speech sound clear and professional.

9. In the words of

“In the words of” means you are using someone else’s exact words or ideas. It is a way to show that what you are saying is not your own but comes from another person. For example, “In the words of my coach, practice makes perfect” means your coach said that practicing helps you get better. This phrase is useful when you want to repeat something important or famous. It helps people understand that you are sharing someone else’s thoughts and not your own. It is common in speeches, essays, and articles.

10. Following

“Following” means that something happens because of a rule, order, or information. For example, “Following the new rule, students must wear uniforms” means the new rule says students need to wear specific clothes. It shows that an action or statement is based on a source. This word is often used in formal situations like work or school rules. It helps people know that your information comes from an official place. It is also a simple way to explain that something happens because of a guideline or decision.

11. Referring to

“Referring to” means you are talking about something that was said or written before. It helps show where your information comes from. For example, “Referring to the report, sales increased this year” means the report says that sales went up. This phrase is useful when you want to connect your words to a specific source. It is common in formal writing, such as essays or reports. It helps people understand that your statement is based on something else. It also shows that you are not giving your own opinion but using trusted information.

12. In agreement with

“In agreement with” means that your information matches or supports something else. For example, “In agreement with the rules, you must wear a helmet” means the rules say you need to wear a helmet. This phrase is useful when you want to show that your statement fits with a rule, idea, or person. It is often used in formal writing, like legal or business documents. It helps people know that your words are not just your own thoughts. It is a clear way to connect your statement to an official source or guideline.

13. Per

“Per” is a short word that means “according to” and is often used in formal situations. For example, “Per the teacher’s request, homework is due tomorrow” means the teacher said the homework must be finished by tomorrow. It is a simple and quick way to point to the source of your information. People use “per” in legal writing, business documents, and official rules. It is useful when you want to be clear and professional. This word helps show that your statement is based on a rule, instruction, or source.

14. In keeping with

“In keeping with” means that something follows a rule, tradition, or belief. For example, “In keeping with the school’s policy, students must wear uniforms” means the school policy says students should wear special clothes. This phrase is common in formal writing when you want to show that your actions or words match a rule or tradition. It is useful when you need to connect your information to an official guideline. This phrase helps people understand that you are following a specific rule or standard.’

15. Citing

“Citing” means you are giving credit to the source of your information. It is often used in formal writing like essays, reports, and research papers. For example, “Citing the study, eating vegetables improves health” means the study says that vegetables are good for your health. This word is important because it shows that your information is not your opinion but comes from a reliable source. People use “citing” to make their work more trustworthy and to avoid plagiarism. It helps the reader know where the information comes from, making your writing clear and honest.

16. As claimed by

“As claimed by” means that someone else has said or believed something. This phrase is useful when you want to share another person’s opinion or statement. For example, “As claimed by the scientist, this new medicine is very effective” means the scientist believes the medicine works well. It is often used when you are not sure if the information is true or when you want to show that the idea comes from someone else. This phrase helps separate your thoughts from another person’s claim, making your point clearer to the reader.

17. As described by

“As described by” means you are explaining something the way someone else has done. It is useful when you want to share how a person or source talks about a topic. For example, “As described by the doctor, the treatment will take two weeks” means the doctor explained that the treatment will last two weeks. This phrase is often used in reports, news, and other formal writing. It helps people know where your information comes from and shows that you are sharing someone else’s explanation, not just your own words.

18. As outlined by

“As outlined by” means that someone has shared the main points or a clear plan. This phrase is useful when you want to present information in a structured way. For example, “As outlined by the teacher, the exam will cover three chapters” means the teacher said the exam will include those chapters. People use this phrase in formal writing to explain rules, plans, or processes. It helps to show that your information is based on a clear guide or outline given by someone else. It makes your writing more organized and easier to follow.

19. As indicated by

“As indicated by” means that a source or person suggests or points to a piece of information. It is often used when sharing facts or evidence. For example, “As indicated by the report, sales have increased” means the report shows that sales are going up. This phrase is useful in research, news, and business writing. It helps people understand that your information comes from a specific source and is not just your opinion. It also adds weight to your argument because it is based on clear evidence or facts.

20. As observed by

“As observed by” means that someone else has seen or noticed something. This phrase is useful when you want to share what someone else has witnessed or recorded. For example, “As observed by scientists, the planet is getting warmer” means scientists have noticed the Earth’s temperature is rising. This phrase is often used in reports, studies, and formal writing. It helps you show that your statement is based on real observations. It also makes your writing sound more reliable because you are using information from someone who has studied the situation carefully.

21. As noted by

“As noted by” means that someone else has pointed out or mentioned something important. This phrase is useful when you want to show that a key idea comes from another source. For example, “As noted by the expert, regular exercise is important for health” means the expert has said that exercising is good for staying healthy. This phrase is common in essays, reports, and professional writing. It helps people know that your information is not just your own opinion but comes from a knowledgeable or trusted source. It also makes your writing clearer and more convincing.

I hope this list of 21 better ways to say ‘according to’ gives you plenty of fresh alternatives to spice up your writing. Whether you are crafting an essay, sending an email, or writing a blog post, these phrases will help you sound more polished and professional. Try them out and watch your writing shine!