Common swaps for “according to” are “per,” “as stated by,” and “based on,” picked by tone and formality.
If you’ve typed what is another word for according to? into search, you’re probably stuck in a familiar loop: you’re citing sources, repeating the same phrase, and your sentences start to sound copy-pasted. The fix isn’t to chase fancy wording. It’s to pick a swap that matches what you mean—source attribution, a rule, or a condition—and fits the tone of your page.
Writers use “according to” in three main ways: to name a source (“according to the report”), to point to a rule (“according to the policy”), or to show a condition (“prices vary according to size”). Each meaning has better-fitting alternatives. Pick the right one and your writing reads cleaner, with less repetition.
When you’re unsure, keep “according to” and strengthen the source label, not the wording itself. It reads clean.
| Alternative | Best Fit | Typical Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Per | Short citations, rules, specs | Neutral, tight |
| As stated by | Clear attribution to a person or org | Neutral, direct |
| As reported by | News, announcements, updates | Neutral, newsy |
| As noted in | Referring to a page, table, or section | Academic, formal |
| As described in | Referring to a method, process, or doc | Formal |
| Based on | Evidence-led claims, summaries | Neutral |
| In line with | Rules, standards, guidance | Formal |
| Under | Policies, laws, warranties, terms | Formal, legal-leaning |
| Depending on | Conditions that change an outcome | Casual to neutral |
| As per | Business notes, requests, instructions | Office-style |
What Is Another Word For According To?
Start by naming what “according to” is doing in your sentence. If it’s pointing to a source, your reader wants to know who said it. If it’s pointing to a rule, your reader wants to know which rule applies. If it’s pointing to a condition, your reader wants to know what changes the outcome. That quick check tells you which swap will sound natural.
When you mean “this source says so”
This is the classic attribution use. “As stated by,” “as reported by,” and “as noted in” can land better than “according to,” since they tell the reader what kind of source you’re using. “As stated by” works well for a person, a company, or an agency. “As reported by” fits news reports and live updates. “As noted in” fits citations to a section, figure, or appendix.
Quick sentence patterns
- As stated by + speaker/organization + comma + claim
- As reported by + outlet/source + comma + claim
- As noted in + document location + comma + detail
When you mean “the rule says so”
Rules and standards often read better with “per,” “under,” or “in line with.” “Per” is short and common in specs, instructions, and policy blurbs. “Under” sounds more formal and is a good fit for terms, laws, and agreements. “In line with” signals that a choice matches guidance without sounding like a quote.
When you mean “it changes by condition”
If your sentence is about variation—price, size, speed, score, access—skip “according to” and use “depending on,” “based on,” or “by.” “Depending on” feels conversational. “Based on” works when you’re grounding a claim in evidence or criteria. “By” works for compact labels like “by age,” “by plan,” or “by region.”
Another Word For According To In Essays And Reports
In school writing, readers expect two things: clean attribution and consistent citation style. A swap for “according to” can help with flow, yet it shouldn’t hide where the claim came from. If your teacher wants APA style, MLA style, or a journal’s house rules, keep your wording steady with that system.
APA style is built around author and year in the sentence or parentheses, so your prose can stay simple and still be clear. If you’re writing in APA, scan the APA Style in-text citations guidance and match your wording to how you cite.
MLA style often leans on author and page number, so your wording can be short. If you’re writing in MLA, the MLA in-text citations overview shows what your reader needs to trace a claim.
Pick swaps that match academic tone
Academic paragraphs tend to reward plain, specific verbs. “As noted in” and “as described in” work well when you point to sections, tables, or methods. “Based on” works when your sentence leans on data, criteria, or results. “Per” can fit in methods or requirements, but in essays it can sound like shorthand.
Keep the attribution close to the claim
If the source is far from the statement, readers lose track. Place the attribution in the same sentence when you can. When the paragraph leans on one source across several lines, name it early, then use short follow-ups like “the report adds” or “the study notes.” That keeps repetition down without blurring credit.
How to choose the best swap without sounding stiff
When you’re trying to stop repeating “according to,” it’s tempting to swap it with any synonym and move on. That’s how you get odd lines like “per the professor” or “under the article.” Use these quick checks instead.
Check what kind of source you’re citing
A person said it: “as stated by” or “in the words of” fits. A document recorded it: “as noted in” fits. A news outlet published it: “as reported by” fits. A rule controls it: “under” or “per” fits. A dataset backs a claim: “based on” fits.
Match the reader’s setting
If your reader is a classmate, “depending on” and “based on” feel natural. If your reader is a client, “per” and “as per” fit the short, directive tone many emails use. If your reader is a judge, regulator, or auditor, “under” and “pursuant to” are standard—still, “pursuant to” can feel heavy outside that setting.
Use “per” with care
“Per” is clean, but it can sound abrupt if you use it in every paragraph. It also carries a math sense (“per hour,” “per item”), so in plain prose it can read like memo language. Mix it with “under,” “as stated by,” or “based on” when your page runs long.
Formal phrasing that stays readable
Some pages need a stricter tone: handbooks, manuals, terms, and official notices. In those spots, “according to” can feel casual, and “per” can feel clipped. Use a phrase that signals whether you’re quoting a source or following a rule.
Rule wording that fits policies and terms
“Under,” “in accordance with,” and “as required by” work well when the rule controls the next step. They push you to name the document or section, which helps readers verify the line later.
Evidence wording that stays neutral
Use “based on” when your claim rests on data, criteria, or a method you can name. If you’re reporting a statement, “as stated by” can keep attention on the speaker.
Swap list by meaning with quick notes
Here’s a more detailed chooser that links meaning to phrasing. It’s built for real writing tasks: essays, emails, product pages, and how-to posts. Use it as a pick-one menu, not a list to cram into a paragraph.
| If you mean… | Try… | Watch for… |
|---|---|---|
| Attribution to a person | As stated by; In the words of | Don’t drop the name |
| Attribution to an org | As stated by; As reported by | Pick a verb that matches the source |
| Attribution to a section | As noted in; As described in | Name the page, table, or heading |
| A rule controls the outcome | Under; In line with | Avoid mixing rule language with opinions |
| Instructions control the steps | Per; As per | “As per” can sound office-heavy |
| Evidence backs a claim | Based on | Stay close to what the data shows |
| A result varies by condition | Depending on | Make the condition explicit |
| A choice follows a plan | In line with; Following | “Following” can mean time order too |
Common traps and clean fixes
Even strong writers trip on “according to” swaps, mostly because the grammar shifts. These quick fixes keep your sentences smooth.
Trap: “As per” in an essay
In business notes, “as per your request” is common. In an essay, it can read like workplace shorthand. If you want a formal feel, “as stated by” or “as described in” is a better fit. If you want a neutral feel, “based on” often works.
Trap: Mixing citation wording with opinion wording
Attribution verbs can sneak in opinion. “Claims” can hint doubt, while “states” can sound firm. If you’re staying neutral, “reports,” “notes,” and “says” tend to feel fair. If you’re writing an evaluation, use a verb that matches your stance, but keep it consistent across the page.
Trap: Hiding the source behind a vague noun
Lines like “as stated by the research” are fuzzy. Research isn’t a speaker. Name the study, the author, the agency, or the dataset. If you don’t have that detail, keep “according to” and add the missing source instead of swapping words.
Make your writing flow without repeating “according to”
Repetition can be a style issue, yet it can be a clarity win too. The goal is balance: vary your phrasing while keeping the trail of evidence easy to follow.
Use one strong attribution, then short follow-ups
Open a paragraph with the full source: “As reported by the 2025 survey…” Then use short follow-ups: “the survey notes,” “the authors add,” “the report lists.” This keeps your reader oriented without forcing “according to” into every sentence.
Blend attribution into the sentence subject
Instead of starting with a prepositional phrase each time, put the source in the subject slot. “The agency states…” “The paper reports…” “The manual lists…” This reads crisp and reduces the need for filler transitions.
Use punctuation that fits the tone
Commas work well after short attribution phrases: “As stated by the editor, …” If the attribution comes at the end, parentheses can keep the sentence clean in academic writing. In casual writing, a dash can work, yet it may feel chatty in formal settings.
Mini checklist for swapping “according to” safely
If you’re polishing a page and the phrase shows up a dozen times, run this pass. It takes a few minutes and keeps the meaning steady.
- Mark each “according to” and label it: source, rule, or condition.
- Pick one swap per label and keep it consistent in that section.
- Keep the source name next to the claim when the reader needs it.
- Use “based on” only when you can point to data, criteria, or a method.
- Use “under” only when a policy, law, or term actually applies.
- Read the paragraph out loud and cut any swap that sounds like memo speak.
And if you’re still asking what is another word for according to?, treat this as your quick rule: match the swap to the meaning. Source language for sources. Rule language for rules. Condition language for conditions. Your reader will feel the difference right away.