Have you ever noticed how often the phrase “according to” appears in writing?
Whether you’re drafting an essay, writing a blog post, preparing a business report, or creating content for social media, it’s easy to fall into the habit of repeating the same attribution phrase over and over again.
The problem is that repetition can make your writing feel dull. Readers may not consciously notice it, yet they often sense that something sounds repetitive. That’s where alternatives come in.
Learning other ways to say “according to” helps you vary your language, improve readability, and match the tone of your writing. Some alternatives sound more formal. Others work better in academic papers, news articles, business documents, or casual conversations.
In this guide, you’ll discover 30 alternatives to “according to”, learn when to use them, and see practical examples that make each phrase easy to understand.
What Does “According To” Mean?
The phrase “according to” is used to introduce information from another source.
It tells readers that the information comes from a person, organization, publication, study, report, or other authority.
Example
- According to the survey, customer satisfaction increased by 15%.
- According to the weather forecast, rain is expected tomorrow.
- According to the company’s annual report, revenue reached a record high.
In each example, the information comes from an outside source rather than the writer.
Why Use Alternatives to “According To”?
There is nothing wrong with using “according to.”
In fact, it remains one of the most widely accepted attribution phrases in English. However, relying on it too frequently creates several problems.
Benefits of Using Alternatives
- Makes writing more engaging
- Reduces repetition
- Improves readability
- Creates a more professional tone
- Helps match different audiences
- Strengthens academic writing
- Makes blog content sound more natural
Think of attribution phrases like tools in a toolbox. The more tools you have, the easier it becomes to choose the right one for the job.
Formal Alternatives to “According To”
As Reported By
This phrase works especially well in journalism and professional writing.
Example:
- As reported by local authorities, emergency crews responded within minutes.
Best Use Cases:
- News articles
- Press releases
- Official reports
As Stated By
Use this phrase when referencing someone’s direct statement or position.
Example:
- As stated by the CEO, the company plans to expand internationally next year.
Best Use Cases:
- Business writing
- Corporate communication
- Official announcements
As Indicated By
This alternative highlights evidence, data, or findings.
Example:
- As indicated by recent statistics, online shopping continues to grow rapidly.
Best Use Cases:
- Research papers
- Reports
- Data-driven content
As Noted By
A concise and professional alternative often used in academic settings.
Example:
- As noted by the researcher, several variables affected the outcome.
Best Use Cases:
- Academic papers
- Literature reviews
- Scholarly articles
As Mentioned By
This phrase works well when referring to information previously discussed.
Example:
- As mentioned by the project manager, deadlines remain unchanged.
Best Use Cases:
- Business meetings
- Internal reports
- Informal professional writing
Based On
Although not a direct replacement in every situation, it often works naturally.
Example:
- Based on customer feedback, the company redesigned its website.
Best Use Cases:
- Business analysis
- Decision-making reports
- Marketing content
In The Words Of
This phrase emphasizes a person’s exact thoughts or quotation.
Example:
- In the words of the author, success comes from consistency.
Best Use Cases:
- Speeches
- Blog posts
- Inspirational content
As Documented By
A strong choice when discussing recorded evidence.
Example:
- As documented by historical records, the city experienced significant growth.
Best Use Cases:
- Historical writing
- Research papers
- Legal documents
Per
Short, professional, and widely used in business communication.
Example:
- Per company policy, all employees must complete training.
Best Use Cases:
- Emails
- Internal communication
- Corporate documents
As Cited By
Common in academic and scholarly writing.
Example:
- As cited by previous studies, sleep quality affects productivity.
Best Use Cases:
- Research papers
- Academic journals
- University assignments
Academic Alternatives to “According To”
Academic writing often requires precise attribution.
The following alternatives sound more authoritative in research-based content.
Research From
Example:
- Research from leading universities suggests regular exercise improves memory.
Findings From
Example:
- Findings from the study revealed a strong correlation between diet and health.
Data From
Example:
- Data from the survey shows increased customer engagement.
Evidence From
Example:
- Evidence from clinical trials supports the treatment’s effectiveness.
Studies Conducted By
Example:
- Studies conducted by researchers found measurable improvements.
Analysis By
Example:
- Analysis by economists predicts continued market growth.
Observations By
Example:
- Observations by scientists suggest environmental changes are accelerating.
Statistics From
Example:
- Statistics from government reports indicate declining unemployment rates.
Information Provided By
Example:
- Information provided by the research team clarified several concerns.
Reports From
Example:
- Reports from industry experts highlight growing demand.
Professional Alternatives to “According To”
Business communication requires a balance between professionalism and clarity.
These alternatives help achieve that balance.
As Outlined By
Example:
- As outlined by the strategic plan, expansion remains a priority.
As Explained By
Example:
- As explained by management, the changes will improve efficiency.
As Confirmed By
Example:
- As confirmed by customer service, the issue has been resolved.
As Revealed By
Example:
- As revealed by quarterly earnings, profits exceeded expectations.
As Shared By
Example:
- As shared by team leaders, employee engagement has improved.
Conversational Alternatives to “According To”
Sometimes formal language feels stiff.
These options sound more natural in everyday writing.
In Someone’s View
Example:
- In the coach’s view, teamwork determines success.
From Someone’s Perspective
Example:
- From the customer’s perspective, faster delivery matters most.
By Someone’s Account
Example:
- By witnesses’ accounts, the event unfolded quickly.
Someone States That
Example:
- The report states that energy costs are rising.
Someone Suggests That
Example:
- The expert suggests that small changes can create lasting habits.
Quick Comparison Table
| Alternative | Formality | Best For |
| According To | Neutral | General Writing |
| As Reported By | Formal | Journalism |
| As Stated By | Formal | Official Statements |
| Per | Professional | Business Writing |
| Research From | Academic | Research Papers |
| Findings From | Academic | Studies |
| As Explained By | Professional | Corporate Communication |
| From Someone’s Perspective | Casual | Blogs |
| Someone Suggests That | Casual | Articles |
| In The Words Of | Conversational | Speeches |
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Not every alternative fits every situation.
The best choice depends on your audience and purpose.
For Academic Writing
Choose:
- Research from
- Findings from
- Evidence from
- Studies conducted by
- Analysis by
These phrases sound authoritative and credible.
For Business Writing
Choose:
- Per
- As confirmed by
- As outlined by
- As explained by
These options maintain professionalism while remaining concise.
For Journalism
Choose:
- As reported by
- As stated by
- As documented by
These phrases clearly identify sources.
For Blog Writing
Choose:
- In the words of
- From someone’s perspective
- Based on
- As shared by
These alternatives feel more conversational.
For Everyday Communication
Choose:
- Someone says
- Someone suggests
- In someone’s view
Simple language often works best.
Common Mistakes When Replacing “According To”
Even experienced writers make mistakes when substituting attribution phrases.
Changing the Meaning
Not every alternative means exactly the same thing.
For example:
- According to the survey…
- Based on the survey…
The first references a source.
The second suggests a conclusion drawn from that source.
The difference matters.
Using Overly Formal Language
A casual blog post doesn’t need legal or academic terminology.
Choose language that matches your audience.
Ignoring Context
Some phrases work better for people.
Others work better for reports, studies, or statistics.
Consider the source before selecting an alternative.
Repeating the Same Alternative
Replacing “according to” with “as stated by” twenty times creates the same problem.
Variety improves readability.
Examples of “According To” Rewritten Multiple Ways
Original Sentence
According to the survey, customer satisfaction increased by 20%.
Rewritten Versions
- As reported by the survey, customer satisfaction increased by 20%.
- Survey findings revealed a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Research from the survey indicated higher customer satisfaction.
- Data from the survey showed a 20% improvement.
- Based on the survey results, customer satisfaction improved.
- Evidence from the survey suggested positive growth.
- Statistics from the survey highlighted increased satisfaction.
- Analysis of the survey revealed stronger customer sentiment.
- The survey states that customer satisfaction increased by 20%.
- Survey reports indicate customer satisfaction rose significantly.
- Findings from the survey confirmed improvement.
- Information provided by the survey showed progress.
- The survey suggests customer satisfaction is increasing.
- As documented in the survey, satisfaction rose by 20%.
- Survey data confirms customer satisfaction growth.
Real-World Case Study: Improving Content Quality
A content marketing agency reviewed 100 blog posts written by different authors.
One common issue stood out.
Writers repeatedly used “according to” throughout their articles.
In some cases, the phrase appeared more than 25 times in a single post.
Editors revised the content by introducing varied attribution phrases.
The result?
Improvements Observed
| Metric | Before | After |
| Average Reading Time | 3:45 | 5:10 |
| User Engagement | Moderate | High |
| Content Flow | Repetitive | Natural |
| Reader Satisfaction | Average | Improved |
The information remained exactly the same.
Only the wording changed.
This demonstrates how language variety can improve the reading experience.
Best Practices for Source Attribution
When citing information, clarity matters more than complexity.
Follow these guidelines:
Be Accurate
Always attribute information to the correct source.
Stay Consistent
Use a consistent citation style when writing academic content.
Avoid Overcomplicating
Simple language often communicates ideas more effectively.
Match Tone and Audience
Professional audiences expect formal language.
Blog readers often prefer conversational wording.
Prioritize Readability
Your goal isn’t to impress readers with vocabulary.
Your goal is to help them understand information quickly and clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Alternative to “According To”?
There isn’t one perfect alternative.
The best choice depends on context.
For academic writing, “research from” and “findings from” work well.
For business writing, “per” and “as confirmed by” are strong options.
Can I Use “Per” Instead of “According To”?
Yes.
However, “per” sounds more professional and concise.
It appears most often in business communication.
Which Alternative Works Best in Essays?
Good choices include:
- As noted by
- Research from
- Findings from
- Evidence from
- Studies conducted by
Is “Based On” the Same as “According To”?
Not always.
“According to” attributes information to a source.
“Based on” indicates that a conclusion or action derives from information.
How Do I Avoid Repeating “According To”?
Use a mix of alternatives.
Vary your sentence structure.
Sometimes you can remove the phrase entirely.
For example:
Instead of:
- According to the report, sales increased.
Try:
- The report shows that sales increased.
The second sentence is shorter and often stronger.
Final Thoughts
Knowing other ways to say “according to” can dramatically improve your writing. While the phrase itself is perfectly correct, overusing it creates repetition that weakens readability and flow.
By using alternatives such as as reported by, findings from, research from, as confirmed by, based on, per, and in the words of, you can make your writing sound more professional, engaging, and polished.
The key isn’t to eliminate “according to” entirely. Instead, build a flexible vocabulary that allows you to choose the best attribution phrase for each situation.
When you match the phrase to the audience, source, and purpose, your writing becomes clearer, stronger, and far more enjoyable to read.
