According to is the phrase most writers reach for when they need to credit a source, and it earns its place: it is short, neutral, and instantly understood. The trouble starts when it appears in every other sentence. A page full of “according to” reads like a list of citations rather than an argument. Fortunately, there are many precise alternatives, and TypoGuard can flag repeated phrases as you type so you can vary your wording while you write.
Everyday Synonyms for “According To”
Simple, natural replacements for articles, emails, and reports:
as reported by, as stated by, per, as noted by, in the words of, based on, from
“As reported by the city council, the road will reopen in March.”
“Per the latest guidelines, all forms must be submitted online.”
Academic Synonyms for “According To”
In essays and research papers, a reporting verb often makes the attribution stronger and more specific:
argues that, suggests that, observes that, points out that, maintains that, demonstrates that, notes that
“Smith argues that early intervention improves long-term outcomes.”
“The study demonstrates that sleep affects memory.”
Synonyms for “According To” in News and Business Writing
When you are citing people, organizations, or documents:
as per, as outlined in, as detailed in, in the view of, from the perspective of, as confirmed by
“As outlined in the contract, payment is due within 30 days.”
“In the view of the committee, the proposal needs revision.”
Casual Synonyms for “According To”
For conversation, blogs, and informal writing:
if you believe, by the look of it, going by, as far as I can tell, apparently, word is that
“Going by the weather forecast, we should bring umbrellas.”
Why Varying Your Signal Phrases Matters
Phrases that introduce a quote, paraphrase, or summary are known as signal phrases. The George Mason University Writing Center advises varying both the wording and the placement of signal phrases to avoid monotony and repetition. In practice, that means opening one sentence with “According to”, placing a reporting verb in the next, and moving the source to the end of a third.
A Common Mistake: “According To Me”
“According to” points to an outside source, so it sounds odd with “me” or “I” when you simply mean your own opinion. Use in my opinion, in my view, or I believe instead. Slips like this are easy to miss on a quick read, and TypoGuard’s free grammar checker helps catch them along with spelling and grammar errors in real time.
Write With More Variety
If you often fall back on the same attribution phrase, a real-time assistant makes variety easy. Install TypoGuard for free and keep your writing clear, accurate, and fresh as you go.
