according to
according to: based on a source, rule, report, plan, or someone's statement.
- Use according to before a source: according to the report / according to my doctor.
- It can also mean following a rule or plan: according to policy / according to schedule.
- For personal opinion, English usually prefers in my opinion, not according to me.
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Examples
Abstract examples
According to the doctor, he should rest for a week.
According to school policy, phones must stay in your bag.
According to the forecast, rain will arrive tonight.
Related prepositions
Key differences
According to links information or action to a source or rule. Learners often mix it with by (method/compliance) and about (topic).
By often highlights method or compliance (pay by card, play by the rules). According to highlights the source or basis for a statement or arrangement.
About introduces a topic. According to introduces the source or rule behind a statement.
Quick check questions (decision tree)
Is it touching a surface?
Touching -> often on; if this page is not on, use the closest surface/contact preposition.
Is it inside a container or boundary?
Inside -> more likely by; if not inside, check position/distance/covering.
Is it above without contact, or below/covered?
Above without contact -> lean toward about; below/covered -> under/beneath/underneath.
Common collocations
According to a source
According to a rule or plan
Useful sentence frames
Common mistakes
Avoid: According to me, this movie is boring.
Use: In my opinion, this movie is boring.
Reason: According to usually introduces an external source or rule, not your personal opinion.
Avoid: This book is according to space travel.
Use: This book is about space travel.
Reason: About introduces the topic. According to introduces the source or basis.
Avoid: We arrived according to 6 p.m.
Use: We arrived at 6 p.m. / We arrived according to schedule.
Reason: According to cannot simply replace a time preposition. It needs a source, rule, or plan.
Mini quiz
Question 1
___ the weather app, it will snow tonight.
Choose an answer
Question 2
Everything went ___ plan.
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Question 3
___ me, the best route is the quiet one.
Choose an answer
Quick FAQ
What is the core idea of according to?+
It points to the source, rule, or basis behind what you say.
Can according to be used with people?+
Yes. You can say according to my teacher, according to the doctor, or according to witnesses.
Can it be used with plans or rules?+
Yes. According to plan, according to policy, and according to the rules are all common.
Why is according to me often avoided?+
Because English normally uses according to for external sources, not for your own opinion.
What is the difference between according to and about?+
About tells you what the topic is. According to tells you where the information comes from or what rule it follows.