Other Ways to Say According To: 40 Alternatives + Examples

Whenever you quote a study, an expert, or a news report, “according to” is usually the first phrase that comes to mind. Use it once and it works perfectly. Use it five times in one essay, and your writing quickly starts to sound flat. That is why it helps to know other ways to say according to.

This guide gives you 40 alternatives for essays, research papers, news-style writing, business emails, and everyday conversation. Each one includes its tone, a short explanation, and an example sentence. You will also learn which signal verbs show agreement or doubt, and one common mistake many English learners make.

Quick Answer: Best Alternatives to “According To”

Short on time? These six phrases work in most situations and are easy to use correctly:

As stated by – clear and formal
As reported by – ideal for news and data
Based on – great for research and evidence
In the words of – perfect before a direct quote
X notes that – a neutral signal verb for essays
Per – short and common in business writing

What Does “According To” Mean?

“According to” means “as said or reported by” a person or source. It can also mean “in a way that follows” a plan or rule, as in “Everything went according to plan.” You can see both meanings in the Merriam-Webster entry for according to.

Most of the alternatives below replace the first meaning, which is about citing a source. A separate section near the end covers alternatives for the “following a rule or plan” meaning.

Formal Other Ways to Say According To

These phrases suit essays, reports, and professional writing. They keep your tone objective while making it clear where your information comes from.

1. As Stated By

Tone: Formal. This is one of the closest replacements for “according to.” It works well when the source has clearly written or said something.

Example: As stated by the World Health Organization, regular exercise lowers the risk of heart disease.

2. As Reported By

Tone: Formal, journalistic. Use this when your information comes from a news outlet, survey, or official report. It makes clear that you are passing along someone else’s findings.

Example: As reported by the local newspaper, the bridge will reopen next month.

3. As Noted By

Tone: Formal. “As noted by” suggests the source pointed out something worth attention. It is common in academic essays and literature reviews.

Example: As noted by several historians, the treaty created new tensions in the region.

4. As Explained By

Tone: Formal, helpful. Use this when the source made a complex idea easier to understand. It works well in educational and technical writing.

Example: As explained by the author, the theory only applies to small samples.

5. As Outlined In

Tone: Formal, professional. This phrase refers to information laid out in a document, such as a policy, contract, or guide. It is very common in business and legal writing.

Example: As outlined in the employee handbook, staff receive 20 days of paid leave.

6. As Indicated By

Tone: Formal, analytical. Use “as indicated by” when data or evidence points to a conclusion. It sounds objective and careful.

Example: Demand is rising, as indicated by the sharp increase in online orders.

7. As Documented In

Tone: Formal. This phrase shows that the information is recorded in an official or reliable source. It adds a sense of trust and accuracy.

Example: As documented in the city archives, the library opened in 1902.

8. As Cited In

Tone: Academic. Use “as cited in” when you found a quote or idea inside another source rather than the original. Many citation styles use this exact wording for secondary sources.

Example: Smith (as cited in Lee, 2020) argued that early reading shapes later success.

9. Based On

Tone: Neutral. “Based on” shows that your statement rests on specific evidence. It is ideal for reports, research, and data-driven writing.

Example: Based on last year’s sales, we expect strong growth in the summer.

10. In the Words Of

Tone: Formal, elegant. Use this right before a direct quotation. It gives credit to the speaker and adds a polished touch.

Example: In the words of our founder, “Great service is never an accident.”

11. In Line With

Tone: Formal. “In line with” shows that something matches a source, rule, or expectation. It is common in corporate and policy writing.

Example: In line with government guidance, all visitors must wear a badge.

12. As Per

Tone: Business-like. “As per” is widely used in emails and official documents. Some style guides consider it stiff, so use it sparingly and prefer “as” or “per” when possible.

Example: As per your request, I have attached the updated invoice.

13. Per

Tone: Concise, professional. “Per” is a short, clean way to cite a source or instruction. It is popular in news headlines and workplace messages.

Example: Per the latest report, unemployment fell to 4%.

Signal Verbs: A Smarter Way to Replace “According To”

In academic writing, the best replacement is often a signal verb. Instead of “according to Smith,” you write “Smith argues” or “Smith found.” These verbs also show how you feel about the source, which makes your writing more precise.

14. X States That

Tone: Neutral. “States” simply reports what the source said, with no hint of agreement or doubt. It is a safe, all-purpose choice.

Example: The report states that 60% of users prefer mobile apps.

15. X Notes That

Tone: Neutral. “Notes” suggests the source mentioned a useful detail. It is one of the most common signal verbs in essays.

Example: Johnson notes that the policy had little effect on rural areas.

16. X Explains That

Tone: Neutral, clear. Use “explains” when the source makes something easier to understand. It works well for experts and teachers.

Example: The doctor explains that sleep helps the body repair muscles.

17. X Points Out That

Tone: Neutral to positive. “Points out” suggests the source noticed something others may miss. It often signals that you find the point valuable.

Example: The author points out that most accidents happen close to home.

18. X Argues That

Tone: Analytical. “Argues” shows that the source is making a claim others might disagree with. It is perfect for discussing debates and opinions.

Example: Garcia argues that homework should be limited in primary school.

19. X Claims That

Tone: Cautious, slightly doubtful. “Claims” suggests the statement may not be proven. Use it when you want to keep some distance from the source.

Example: The company claims that its product doubles battery life.

20. X Suggests That

Tone: Tentative. “Suggests” is softer than “argues” or “states.” It fits research findings that are promising but not final.

Example: The study suggests that green spaces improve mood.

21. X Found That

Tone: Objective. Use “found” for results from research, surveys, or experiments. It focuses on evidence rather than opinion.

Example: Researchers found that students who slept more scored higher on tests.

22. X Reports That

Tone: Neutral, factual. “Reports” works well for news organizations, agencies, and official bodies. It signals that you are passing on information.

Example: The weather service reports that the storm will reach the coast tonight.

23. X Confirms That

Tone: Strong, positive. “Confirms” shows that the source supports something already believed or suspected. It adds certainty to your point.

Example: The latest data confirms that prices have started to fall.

24. X Highlights

Tone: Positive. “Highlights” draws attention to an important point in the source. It works well in summaries and reviews.

Example: The review highlights the need for better teacher training.

25. X Maintains That

Tone: Formal. “Maintains” shows that the source keeps holding a position, often despite criticism. It is useful in debates and legal writing.

Example: The minister maintains that the new tax is fair.

26. X Observes That

Tone: Thoughtful. “Observes” suggests careful noticing or study. It is common in social science and literature essays.

Example: The writer observes that small towns often keep old traditions alive.

27. As X Puts It

Tone: Engaging. This phrase introduces a memorable quote or way of expressing an idea. It adds personality to essays and articles.

Example: As one teacher puts it, “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”

Ways to Say According To for Opinions

Sometimes you are not citing facts but someone’s personal view. These phrases make it clear that the statement is an opinion, not a proven fact.

28. In X’s Opinion

Tone: Neutral. This phrase clearly labels a statement as a personal view. It is useful when reporting interviews or reviews.

Example: In the coach’s opinion, the team needs more practice on defense.

29. In the View Of

Tone: Formal. “In the view of” works like “in X’s opinion” but sounds more formal. It suits reports and academic writing.

Example: In the view of many economists, the recovery will be slow.

30. From X’s Perspective

Tone: Neutral, thoughtful. Use this to show how a situation looks to a specific person or group. It is great for balanced discussions.

Example: From the farmers’ perspective, the new rules are too strict.

31. X Believes That

Tone: Neutral. “Believes” shows a personal conviction rather than proven fact. It is simple and clear in both writing and speech.

Example: My manager believes that remote work boosts productivity.

32. X Feels That

Tone: Informal, personal. “Feels” focuses on emotion or instinct. It works in interviews, blogs, and everyday writing.

Example: The author feels that the ending of the series was rushed.

Casual Ways to Say According To

In conversation and informal writing, these phrases sound natural and relaxed. Avoid most of them in academic work.

33. X Says

Tone: Casual, simple. “Says” is the most natural way to report what someone told you. It is perfect for everyday speech and messages.

Example: Mom says dinner will be ready at seven.

34. X Told Me

Tone: Casual, personal. Use this when the information came to you directly. It is common in conversation and friendly emails.

Example: Sara told me the meeting has been moved to Thursday.

35. I Heard From

Tone: Very casual. This phrase shows you got the information secondhand. It also signals that the news may not be confirmed.

Example: I heard from a friend that the store is closing.

36. Going By

Tone: Casual. “Going by” means “judging from” a source or sign. It is useful when making a reasonable guess.

Example: Going by the map, we should arrive in ten minutes.

37. Judging By

Tone: Neutral to casual. “Judging by” introduces a conclusion based on what you can see or know. It is common in both speech and writing.

Example: Judging by the reviews, this café is worth a visit.

Other Ways to Say According To (Meaning “Following a Rule”)

“According to” can also mean “in a way that follows” a plan, rule, or instruction. These alternatives fit that second meaning.

38. In Accordance With

Tone: Very formal. This is the standard phrase in legal, technical, and official writing. It shows that something follows a rule exactly.

Example: The waste was removed in accordance with safety regulations.

39. As Required By

Tone: Formal. Use this when a rule or law makes an action mandatory. It is common in compliance documents.

Example: As required by law, the company published its annual report.

40. Following

Tone: Neutral. “Following” is a simple, flexible option for rules, instructions, and advice. It sounds natural in most contexts.

Example: Following the doctor’s advice, he cut back on sugar.

Common Mistake: Saying “According to Me”

Many English learners, especially in South Asia, say “according to me” to share an opinion. While people will understand you, native speakers rarely use it, and many teachers mark it as unnatural. “According to” is normally used for other sources, not yourself.

Instead, use one of these natural options:

In my opinion, the movie was too long.
I think the plan will work.
In my view, the price is fair.
From my perspective, remote work saves time.
As I see it, we need more staff.

This is similar to other regional phrases like “kindly revert.” If you are curious, read our guide on whether it is correct to say “kindly revert”.

Signal Verbs by Strength: Quick Table

Choosing the right signal verb shows readers how much you trust the source. Use this table to pick the right one.

Attitude	Signal Verbs	Best For
Neutral	states, notes, reports, explains, says	Facts and summaries
Agreement	confirms, shows, demonstrates, highlights	Evidence you support
Argument	argues, maintains, insists, contends	Debates and opinions
Doubt	claims, alleges, asserts	Statements you question
Tentative	suggests, implies, hints	Early or limited findings

Which Alternative Should You Use?

Still not sure which phrase fits? This table matches common situations with the best choices.

Situation	Best Choices	Avoid
Academic essay	X argues, X notes, as stated by	I heard from, X told me
Research paper	X found, based on, as cited in	X feels
News-style writing	As reported by, per, X reports	Going by
Business email	As outlined in, per, in line with	According to me
Casual chat	X says, I heard from, judging by	In accordance with

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using “according to me.” Say “in my opinion” or “I think” instead.
Repeating the same phrase. Rotate signal verbs like “notes,” “argues,” and “found.”
Using “claims” for facts. “Claims” suggests doubt, so use “states” or “confirms” for reliable data.
Overusing “as per.” It can sound stiff; “as” or “per” alone is often cleaner.
Forgetting to cite. Every alternative still needs a clear source.

Practice: Choose the Best Phrase

Test yourself with these quick sentences. The answers are below.

___ the user manual, the battery should be charged for eight hours.
The scientists ___ that the vaccine was 90% effective.
The company ___ its cream removes wrinkles in a week, but there is no proof.
___, the best season to visit is spring. (sharing your own view)

Answers: 1. As outlined in / Per · 2. found · 3. claims · 4. In my opinion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another way to say “according to”?

Popular alternatives include as stated by, as reported by, based on, and per. In essays, signal verbs like X argues or X notes often work even better.

What can I use instead of “according to” in an essay?

Use signal verbs such as states, argues, notes, explains, or found. They make your writing more varied and show your attitude toward the source.

Is “according to me” correct?

It is understandable, but it sounds unnatural to most native speakers. Use in my opinion, I think, or in my view instead.

Is “as per” formal?

Yes, “as per” is formal and common in business, but some editors find it stiff. In many cases, “as” or “per” alone sounds cleaner.

What is the difference between “according to” and “in accordance with”?

“According to” usually cites a source of information. “In accordance with” means following a rule, law, or instruction exactly.

Can I start a sentence with “according to”?

Yes. Just put a comma after the source, as in “According to the report, sales rose by 10%.”

Final Thoughts

“According to” is a useful phrase, but varied citation language makes your writing sound more confident and skillful. For formal writing, try as stated by, as reported by, or a signal verb like argues or found. In conversation, simple phrases like X says sound most natural.

Above all, choose the phrase that matches both your source and your attitude toward it. That small choice shows readers you understand your evidence, not just that you found it.

Keep building your writing skills with our guides to other ways to say “for example” and other ways to say “in conclusion”.