Meaning & use
according to
Last updated
Meanings
prepositionfixed phrase
As stated or reported by someone or something.
Grammar: Followed by a source: according to the report, according to her.
Patterns
- according to someone
- according to something
According to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
According to my sister, the movie is excellent.
The museum opens at nine, according to its website.
prepositionfixed phrase
In a way that depends on or matches something such as a rule or a plan.
Grammar: Often after a verb: everything went according to plan.
Patterns
- according to plan
- according to the rules
- vary according to something
The meeting went according to plan.
Prices change according to the season.
Players are placed in groups according to their age.
Common combinations
- according to plan
- The launch went according to plan.
- according to the report
- According to the report, sales rose.
- according to experts
- According to experts, sleep matters.
- vary according to
- Rates vary according to region.
Synonyms and how they differ
- as stated by
- More formal and spelled out.
- in line with
- Matches the second sense, not reported speech.
- as per
- Business English; slightly stiff.
Word family
- accord noun
- agreement
- accordingly adverb
- in a suitable way
Commonly confused: according to or in accordance with?
according to vs in accordance with
Means following a rule or law, and is more formal.
Practice
Which sentence uses according to correctly?
Choose one answer.
According to needs a source such as the schedule. It is not used for your own opinion and must keep to.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “according to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.