Professional writers and business professionals often search for precise ways to express sources and references. Choosing the right phrase to signal attribution keeps your text clear and authoritative.
Below you will find a practical overview of different ways to say according to, organized by context and register to help you communicate with precision.
| Phrase | Formality | Common Contexts | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| According to | Neutral | Reports, news, academic writing | Standard attribution |
| Per | Formal | Business, legal, statistics | Emphasis on source authority |
| As stated by | Formal | Academic papers, presentations | Highlights the speaker |
| Based on | Neutral to formal | Analysis, research summaries | Focus on foundation or evidence |
| In view of | Formal | Policy, strategic documents | Highlights consideration of the source |
Contextual Uses of According to
Academic and Technical Writing
In scholarly work, precision is essential. Use phrases like according to or as stated by when you name a researcher or study directly.
Business and Professional Communication
In corporate emails and reports, phrases such as per and in view of convey authority and efficiency. They help readers immediately recognize the source of a directive or data point.
Register and Tone Variations
Formal Alternatives
Formal settings demand language that sounds polished and controlled. Options like per, as stated by, and in view of project professionalism and reduce ambiguity in high-stakes communication.
Neutral and Conversal Phrasing
Everyday business writing benefits from neutral options like according to and based on. These phrases are versatile, easy to understand, and suitable for most audiences.
Practical Examples in Sentences
Strong examples show how each phrase functions in real context. By comparing structures, you can see how word choice affects clarity, tone, and focus.
Example 1
According to the latest market analysis, revenue growth has accelerated in the technology sector.
Example 2
Per internal guidelines, all expenses must be submitted within seven days of the transaction.
Example 3
In view of recent regulatory changes, the compliance team has updated its procedures.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Match phrase formality to your audience and document type.
- Prefer according to for general attribution in neutral writing.
- Use per for legal, statistical, or directive contexts.
- Choose based on when you want to stress evidence or foundation.
- Select in view of for strategic or policy-oriented framing.
FAQ
Reader questions
Is according to always followed by a noun phrase?
Yes, according to is typically followed by a noun phrase or a noun with a modifier, such as a source name, organization, or report.
Can I use per in informal messages?
Per can sound overly formal or rigid in casual messages, so reserve it for professional, legal, or statistical contexts where precision is expected.
What is the difference between based on and according to?
Based on emphasizes the foundation or evidence, while according to directs attention to the source of the statement or data.
When should I choose in view of instead of according to?
Use in view of when you want to highlight consideration or interpretation of a factor, rather than simply citing a source.