22 Other Ways to Say “According To” (With Examples)

Looking for other ways to say “according to”? Explore 22 formal, informal, and professional alternatives with clear examples to make your writing sound polished and avoid repetition.

“According to” is one of those phrases we lean on constantly in essays, reports, and articles — but repeating it in every citation or reference can make your writing feel stiff and repetitive. Whether you’re writing a research paper, a news article, or a business report, varying this phrase keeps your writing polished and professional.

This guide breaks down natural, formal, and informal alternatives to “according to,” along with examples showing exactly when to use each one.

What Does “According To” Mean?

“According to” is used to attribute information, opinions, or data to a specific source, person, or document. It signals that the statement that follows isn’t the writer’s own claim, but comes from someone or something else — a study, a report, an expert, or a person.

Is “According To” Professional or Polite to Use?

Yes, it’s completely professional and one of the most common attribution phrases in academic and business writing. However, using it repeatedly throughout a document can make your writing feel monotonous, which is exactly why variety matters in longer pieces.

Pros and Cons of Using “According To”

Aspect	Details
Pros	Clear, widely understood, works in formal and informal writing
Cons	Overused in academic and business writing, can sound repetitive
Best fix	Rotate between formal and informal alternatives depending on context

Why You Need Alternatives to “According To”

Relying on one phrase throughout an entire document can make your writing feel mechanical, even when the content itself is strong. Using alternatives helps you:

• Avoid repetition in research papers, essays, and reports
• Match the tone of formal or informal writing
• Add variety without changing the meaning
• Sound more polished and professional

Tips for Choosing the Right Phrase

• Match the formality. “Per” works in business memos; “in the words of” suits direct quotes.
• Consider the source type. Use “as reported by” for news, and “as observed by” for research or data.
• Avoid overusing one alternative. Rotate phrases throughout longer documents.
• Keep clarity first. Choose the phrase that reads most naturally in the sentence.

Complete List of Alternatives to “According To”

#	Alternative Phrase	Best Used In
1	As stated by	Formal writing, quotes
2	As reported by	News articles, journalism
3	Based on	Research, data-driven writing
4	Per	Business memos, emails
5	In the words of	Direct quotations
6	As mentioned by	General academic writing
7	As noted by	Research papers
8	As observed by	Scientific or data reports
9	As suggested by	Studies, expert opinions
10	In line with	Policy or guideline references
11	In accordance with	Legal or formal documents
12	As outlined by	Reports, structured documents
13	As highlighted by	Emphasizing key points
14	As indicated by	Data or statistical references
15	From the perspective of	Opinion-based writing
16	As documented by	Historical or formal records
17	As pointed out by	Casual to semi-formal writing
18	As revealed by	Investigative or research content
19	As confirmed by	Fact-checking, verified sources
20	As explained by	Educational or instructional content
21	As acknowledged by	Formal recognition of a source
22	As presented by	Reports, presentations

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1. As Stated By

A formal, direct alternative often used when quoting a specific person or document. Example: “As stated by the CEO, the company plans to expand into new markets next year.”

2. As Reported By

Common in journalism and news writing when citing another publication or source. Example: “As reported by Reuters, the merger is expected to close by year-end.”

3. Based On

A flexible phrase that works well in both formal and casual writing. Example: “Based on the latest survey, customer satisfaction has improved significantly.”

4. Per

A short, business-friendly alternative often used in emails and internal memos. Example: “Per the manager’s instructions, the deadline has been extended.”

5. In the Words Of

Ideal for direct quotations where you want to highlight the source’s exact phrasing. Example: “In the words of the author, ‘change begins with a single decision.'”

6. As Noted By

Common in academic and research writing to reference a specific finding. Example: “As noted by the researchers, the results were consistent across all test groups.”

7. As Observed By

Best suited for scientific, data-driven, or analytical writing. Example: “As observed by the study’s authors, temperature changes directly affected the outcome.”

8. As Suggested By

Useful when referencing an opinion, recommendation, or hypothesis. Example: “As suggested by industry experts, remote work is likely to continue growing.”

9. In Accordance With

A formal phrase often used in legal, policy, or compliance-related writing. Example: “In accordance with company policy, all requests must be submitted in writing.”

10. As Confirmed By

Useful when verifying facts or citing an authoritative source. Example: “As confirmed by the health department, the new guidelines take effect immediately.”

Formal vs. Informal Alternatives

Formal (Reports, Academic Writing)	Informal (Everyday Writing)
In accordance with	Based on
As stated by	As mentioned by
As documented by	As pointed out by
As confirmed by	As per

Comparison Table: Best Alternatives by Context

Context	Recommended Phrase
Academic or research paper	As noted by / As observed by
News or journalism	As reported by
Business memo or email	Per
Legal or policy document	In accordance with
Direct quotation	In the words of

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t mix formality levels. Avoid using “per” in a formal research paper.
• Don’t overuse one phrase. Repeating “as stated by” throughout a long document feels just as repetitive as “according to.”
• Don’t misuse “per.” It should reference instructions or guidelines, not personal opinions.
• Don’t forget context. Some phrases, like “in the words of,” only work with direct quotes.

FAQs

What is a formal way to say “according to”?

“As stated by,” “in accordance with,” and “as documented by” are all strong formal alternatives suited for reports and academic writing.

What’s a casual alternative to “according to”?

“Based on” and “as per” work well in everyday or informal writing without sounding too stiff.

Can “per” replace “according to” in every sentence?

Not always — “per” works best in business or instructional contexts, not for quoting opinions or personal statements.

Why should I avoid repeating “according to” in one document?

Repetition makes writing feel monotonous; alternating between phrases like “as reported by” or “as noted by” keeps the tone fresh.

Is “according to” grammatically incorrect to use often?

No, it’s grammatically correct, but stylistically it’s better to vary your phrasing in longer pieces of writing.

Conclusion

“According to” is a reliable phrase, but repeating it throughout an entire document can make your writing feel flat. Alternatives like “as reported by,” “based on,” or “in accordance with” let you keep the same meaning while adding variety and polish to your writing. Match the phrase to your context — formal, academic, or casual — and your writing will read as more professional and engaging.