Finding the right words is not just about clarity; it’s about connection and care. Saying “according to” is common, but with thoughtful alternatives, you can make your message more personal, nuanced, and engaging.
Whether writing professionally, academically, or casually, these 30 alternatives help you communicate ideas with warmth and precision.
What Does “According To” Mean?
The phrase “according to” is used to attribute information, opinions, or statements to a source. It signals that what you are presenting comes from someone else’s knowledge, authority, or perspective, rather than your own. Using alternative expressions can add variety, tone, and style, making your writing feel more professional, lively, or conversational.
When to Use “According To”?
- Citing experts, sources, or data
- Referencing someone else’s opinion or report
- Adding authority or credibility to your statement
- Avoiding plagiarism in academic or professional writing
Alternatives can make your statements more engaging and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “According To”?
Yes, “according to” is both professional and polite, suitable for:
- Academic writing
- Reports or professional communication
- Presentations and journalism
However, some alternatives can be more formal, casual, or conversational, depending on the context.
Pros or Cons of Using “According To”
Pros:
- Clear and widely understood
- Professional and neutral
- Easily links to sources
Cons:
- Can feel repetitive if overused
- Less dynamic or stylistic than alternatives
- Doesn’t convey nuance or tone variation
1. As Stated By
Meaning: Used to reference what someone has explicitly said.
Explanation: Highlights direct attribution to a person or source. Works well in formal writing or reporting.
Examples:
- “As stated by Dr. Khan, climate change affects all regions.”
- “As stated by the CEO, the project deadline will be extended.”
- “As stated by the research report, productivity increased last year.”
Best Use: Formal, professional, or academic writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Adds clarity and direct attribution
Tone: Formal, precise
2. As Reported By
Meaning: Used when sharing information from a report or news source.
Explanation: Emphasizes that the information is from a documented or official source, not personal opinion.
Examples:
- “As reported by The Times, the event attracted thousands.”
- “As reported by the survey, most employees prefer flexible hours.”
- “As reported by the media, the new policy will take effect next month.”
Best Use: News articles, reports, presentations
Worst Use: Casual emails
Why It Works: Adds credibility and authority
Tone: Professional, trustworthy
3. Per
Meaning: Indicates that the information is from a specified source.
Explanation: Short, concise, and professional. Commonly used in business or technical writing.
Examples:
- “Per the HR guidelines, leave requests must be submitted two weeks prior.”
- “Per the study, regular exercise boosts mental health.”
- “Per the manager’s instructions, the report is due tomorrow.”
Best Use: Emails, memos, reports
Worst Use: Casual speech with friends
Why It Works: Concise and formal
Tone: Professional, straightforward
4. As Noted By
Meaning: Highlights observations or statements made by someone.
Explanation: Focuses on noting or highlighting the source’s point rather than direct speech.
Examples:
- “As noted by Dr. Ahmed, early intervention is crucial.”
- “As noted by the report, energy consumption is rising.”
- “As noted by the committee, changes will be gradual.”
Best Use: Academic or professional references
Worst Use: Informal texting
Why It Works: Elegant and professional, emphasizes key points
Tone: Formal, polished
5. Based On
Meaning: Indicates reliance on a source or data.
Explanation: Focuses on foundation or evidence, not direct speech.
Examples:
- “Based on recent research, students learn better in groups.”
- “Based on customer feedback, improvements will be made.”
- “Based on the guidelines, all employees must complete training.”
Best Use: Reports, research, professional communication
Worst Use: Casual or personal chats
Why It Works: Highlights evidence-based attribution
Tone: Professional, factual
6. As Observed By
Meaning: Refers to someone’s personal observation or insight.
Explanation: Emphasizes perception or experience, suitable for qualitative reporting.
Examples:
- “As observed by the teacher, students are more engaged in interactive sessions.”
- “As observed by the team, production has increased recently.”
- “As observed by the scientist, the phenomenon occurs naturally.”
Best Use: Research, presentations, qualitative analysis
Worst Use: Casual remarks without context
Why It Works: Adds perspective and credibility
Tone: Professional, insightful
7. As Outlined By
Meaning: Refers to structured explanation or plan from a source.
Explanation: Often used to cite frameworks, rules, or instructions.
Examples:
- “As outlined by the project plan, all tasks are due next week.”
- “As outlined by the policy, reporting is mandatory.”
- “As outlined by the report, these are the main findings.”
Best Use: Business reports, manuals, policy documents
Worst Use: Casual emails
Why It Works: Organized, authoritative, shows structure
Tone: Formal, structured
8. As Explained By
Meaning: Refers to someone’s clarification or explanation.
Explanation: Highlights that the information is based on someone’s detailed explanation, not your own words. Useful for teaching, presentations, or reporting.
Examples:
- “As explained by Dr. Noor, the new system improves efficiency.”
- “As explained by the manager, the schedule will be adjusted.”
- “As explained by the report, the findings support our strategy.”
Best Use: Academic, professional, or instructional contexts
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Adds clarity and authority
Tone: Formal, educational
9. In Line With
Meaning: Suggests that information is consistent with a source or guideline.
Explanation: Emphasizes agreement or alignment, often used in professional or research writing.
Examples:
- “In line with the company’s policy, all reports must be submitted by Friday.”
- “In line with the research findings, we updated our strategy.”
- “In line with international standards, the project adheres to safety regulations.”
Best Use: Policy, compliance, professional communication
Worst Use: Casual texts
Why It Works: Shows alignment and credibility
Tone: Professional, confident
10. In Accordance With
Meaning: Conforms to a rule, guideline, or instruction.
Explanation: Formal and often legal/professional phrasing, emphasizing compliance.
Examples:
- “In accordance with company policy, leave must be approved by a manager.”
- “In accordance with the regulations, all safety measures are followed.”
- “In accordance with the agreement, payment will be made monthly.”
Best Use: Legal, official, or formal contexts
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Professional and rule-based clarity
Tone: Formal, authoritative
11. In the Words of
Meaning: Directly quotes or paraphrases a person’s statement.
Explanation: Adds a personal touch, highlighting that the information is attributed to someone specific.
Examples:
- “In the words of Prof. Ali, innovation drives progress.”
- “In the words of the CEO, teamwork is essential.”
- “In the words of the researcher, accuracy is key.”
Best Use: Writing, speeches, or reporting quotes
Worst Use: Casual emails
Why It Works: Humanizes the attribution and adds authenticity
Tone: Warm, formal
12. As Mentioned By
Meaning: Refers to a prior statement or mention by someone.
Explanation: Good for attributing information that has already been recorded or spoken.
Examples:
- “As mentioned by the professor, exams will be online.”
- “As mentioned by the HR team, training is mandatory.”
- “As mentioned by the report, costs have increased.”
Best Use: Academic, professional, or reporting contexts
Worst Use: Informal casual chats
Why It Works: Clear attribution, keeps tone neutral and professional
Tone: Professional, neutral
13. As Declared By
Meaning: Refers to an official statement or announcement.
Explanation: Formal, emphasizes that the information comes from a declarative or authoritative source.
Examples:
- “As declared by the minister, new policies will take effect next month.”
- “As declared by the organization, funding is approved.”
- “As declared by the CEO, the merger is complete.”
Best Use: Press releases, official communication
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Signals authority and formal announcement
Tone: Formal, authoritative
14. As Observed In
Meaning: Refers to findings or patterns noted in a source.
Explanation: Common in research, studies, or reports. Highlights data-driven observations.
Examples:
- “As observed in the study, participants improved their skills over time.”
- “As observed in the report, customer satisfaction increased.”
- “As observed in previous experiments, the results were consistent.”
Best Use: Academic, research, professional writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Provides evidence-based credibility
Tone: Formal, precise
15. As Expressed By
Meaning: Refers to someone’s thoughts, feelings, or opinions.
Explanation: Adds empathy and nuance, often used in interviews or personal statements.
Examples:
- “As expressed by the manager, teamwork is valued above all.”
- “As expressed by the student, the course was very helpful.”
- “As expressed by the author, creativity drives innovation.”
Best Use: Interviews, reflective writing, speeches
Worst Use: Casual minor notes
Why It Works: Humanizes attribution, empathetic and thoughtful
Tone: Warm, professional
16. As Illustrated By
Meaning: Highlights an example or scenario provided by a source.
Explanation: Focuses on demonstrative examples rather than general statements.
Examples:
- “As illustrated by the case study, effective planning reduces errors.”
- “As illustrated by recent events, teamwork prevents delays.”
- “As illustrated by the diagram, the process is straightforward.”
Best Use: Presentations, reports, teaching
Worst Use: Casual chats
Why It Works: Visualizes information, making it clear and relatable
Tone: Professional, explanatory
17. As Indicated By
Meaning: Refers to evidence, signals, or suggestions from a source.
Explanation: Often used to point out data, research findings, or expert indications rather than direct quotes.
Examples:
- “As indicated by the survey, satisfaction levels are rising.”
- “As indicated by the report, efficiency improved last quarter.”
- “As indicated by the analysis, errors decreased after the update.”
Best Use: Research, analysis, reports
Worst Use: Informal conversation
Why It Works: Signals evidence-based attribution
Tone: Formal, precise
18. As Conveyed By
Meaning: Expresses information, thoughts, or feelings from a source.
Explanation: Good for professional and personal contexts; emphasizes the message being communicated rather than just facts.
Examples:
- “As conveyed by the teacher, attendance is mandatory.”
- “As conveyed by the CEO, innovation is key to growth.”
- “As conveyed by the client, feedback should be implemented immediately.”
Best Use: Emails, reports, presentations
Worst Use: Casual slang
Why It Works: Adds clarity and professional communication tone
Tone: Polished, clear
19. As Affirmed By
Meaning: Confirms that the source supports or validates a point.
Explanation: Adds credibility by showing agreement or confirmation from an authoritative source.
Examples:
- “As affirmed by the expert, early preparation improves outcomes.”
- “As affirmed by the guidelines, safety is mandatory.”
- “As affirmed by the manager, deadlines are non-negotiable.”
Best Use: Professional or academic writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Strengthens authority and credibility
Tone: Formal, trustworthy
20. As Highlighted By
Meaning: Points out key ideas or observations from a source.
Explanation: Emphasizes important points or findings, adding focus to the information.
Examples:
- “As highlighted by the report, customer satisfaction is critical.”
- “As highlighted by the trainer, consistent practice improves skills.”
- “As highlighted by the survey, remote work boosts productivity.”
Best Use: Reports, presentations, research
Worst Use: Informal chats
Why It Works: Draws attention to key insights
Tone: Professional, informative
21. As Authored By
Meaning: Refers to content written or created by someone.
Explanation: Useful for formal citations, academic writing, or publishing.
Examples:
- “As authored by Smith, the study focuses on climate change.”
- “As authored by the research team, findings were conclusive.”
- “As authored by the journalist, the article covers local events.”
Best Use: Academic, professional, or publishing contexts
Worst Use: Casual messaging
Why It Works: Ensures proper attribution and credibility
Tone: Formal, authoritative
22. As Documented By
Meaning: Refers to recorded or officially noted information.
Explanation: Emphasizes formal documentation, suitable for reports, research, or historical records.
Examples:
- “As documented by the study, results were consistent.”
- “As documented by the archive, the event took place in 1990.”
- “As documented by the report, incidents have decreased.”
Best Use: Professional or research documentation
Worst Use: Casual or spoken conversation
Why It Works: Adds formal validation and reliability
Tone: Professional, formal
23. As Expressed In
Meaning: Highlights ideas or opinions presented within a source.
Explanation: Focuses on the content of the message or opinion, not just the author.
Examples:
- “As expressed in the article, teamwork improves efficiency.”
- “As expressed in the report, productivity increased.”
- “As expressed in the study, mental health is a priority.”
Best Use: Academic or professional references
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Emphasizes message content with clarity
Tone: Formal, clear
24. As Reported In
Meaning: Information appeared or was published in a source.
Explanation: Emphasizes that the information comes from a published or authoritative source.
Examples:
- “As reported in The Times, sales increased last quarter.”
- “As reported in the study, errors decreased by 15%.”
- “As reported in the newspaper, the policy was updated.”
Best Use: Media, research, professional reports
Worst Use: Casual texting
Why It Works: Signals published or verified sources
Tone: Professional, credible
25. In Reference To
Meaning: Refers to a specific subject or source.
Explanation: Professional and neutral, often used in emails, documents, or letters.
Examples:
- “In reference to your inquiry, the report is attached.”
- “In reference to the guidelines, please submit forms by Friday.”
- “In reference to the study, further research is needed.”
Best Use: Official emails, memos, documentation
Worst Use: Casual chats
Why It Works: Clear, professional attribution
Tone: Formal, neutral
26. As Per
Meaning: Indicates following someone’s instructions or source.
Explanation: Short, concise, professional; often used in business writing.
Examples:
- “As per the manager, the meeting starts at 10 AM.”
- “As per the guidelines, safety procedures must be followed.”
- “As per the contract, payment is due monthly.”
Best Use: Business communication, official documentation
Worst Use: Casual texting
Why It Works: Concise, clear directive attribution
Tone: Formal, professional
27. As Noted In
Meaning: Indicates something is mentioned or observed in a source.
Explanation: Neutral and professional, used in research, articles, and formal writing.
Examples:
- “As noted in the report, productivity improved after training.”
- “As noted in the study, sleep impacts memory retention.”
- “As noted in the article, trends are shifting toward remote work.”
Best Use: Academic writing, reports, professional analysis
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Signals documented observation clearly
Tone: Formal, precise
28. As Quoted By
Meaning: Refers to someone’s exact words or quotation.
Explanation: Ideal for attributing direct speech or citation, especially in writing or presentations.
Examples:
- “As quoted by Dr. Khan, ‘Education is the foundation of society.’”
- “As quoted by the CEO, ‘Innovation drives success.’”
- “As quoted by the author, ‘Consistency is key to improvement.’”
Best Use: Academic, professional, speeches
Worst Use: Informal chatting
Why It Works: Provides accuracy and credibility
Tone: Formal, authoritative
29. As Mentioned In
Meaning: Refers to information previously included in a source.
Explanation: Highlights prior documentation or discussion, suitable for formal writing.
Examples:
- “As mentioned in the report, deadlines are strict.”
- “As mentioned in the article, trends are changing rapidly.”
- “As mentioned in the study, exercise improves health.”
Best Use: Academic or professional citations
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Why It Works: Clear, polished attribution
Tone: Formal, neutral
30. As Identified By
Meaning: Highlights someone who discovered, recognized, or pinpointed information.
Explanation: Emphasizes source recognition; great for research, professional, or analytical writing.
Examples:
- “As identified by the study, students need more practical exercises.”
- “As identified by the audit, compliance gaps exist.”
- “As identified by the report, customer complaints have decreased.”
Best Use: Research, audits, professional analysis
Worst Use: Informal conversation
Why It Works: Highlights authority and discovery
Tone: Professional, precise
Conclusion
Using alternatives to “according to” allows you to:
- Communicate credibility and source attribution more clearly
- Avoid repetition in professional and academic writing
- Add warmth, nuance, and clarity to your statements
- Make your writing more engaging, polished, and reader-friendly
Whether you’re writing reports, emails, presentations, or academic papers, these 30 alternatives help you express ideas thoughtfully, accurately, and empathetically.
