Have you ever written the phrase “according to” three or four times in the same article, email, or assignment and suddenly felt like your writing sounded repetitive? You are definitely not alone. “According to” is useful, but relying on it too often can make your sentences feel predictable.
That is why many writers search for compelling alternatives to the word “according to.” Whether you are writing a school assignment, research paper, blog post, business report, news article, or casual message, having a few natural alternatives can make your writing sound smoother and more professional.
The good news is that you do not always need a complicated replacement. Simple phrases such as “as stated by,” “based on,” “as reported by,” “in the view of,” and “as noted by” can instantly give your sentences more variety.
Let’s look at the best options and, more importantly, see how they work in real-life situations.
2. What Does “According To” Mean?
The phrase “according to” is used when you are giving information, an opinion, statement, or fact that comes from another person, organization, document, study, or source.
For example:
According to the report, online shopping increased last year.
Here, “according to” tells the reader where the information came from.
You might use it when referring to:
- A person’s opinion
- A research study
- A report or document
- A government organization
- A news source
- A friend or colleague
- Statistics or data
- Someone’s explanation
While “according to” is perfectly correct, repeating it can make your writing sound dull. The best alternative depends on what you are actually trying to communicate.
3. 35 Compelling Alternatives to “According To”
A. Polite / Professional Alternatives
These phrases work especially well in professional emails, reports, academic writing, and formal communication.
1. As stated by
Reply: “As stated by the manager, the deadline has been extended.”
👉 Example: Your manager sends an email explaining that the project deadline has changed. You repeat the information to your team by saying, “As stated by the manager, we have until Friday.”
Best for: Formal and professional writing.
2. As noted by
Reply: “As noted by the researcher, the results require further analysis.”
👉 Example: You are discussing a research paper and want to highlight something the researcher specifically mentioned.
Best for: Academic and professional writing.
3. As mentioned by
Reply: “As mentioned by Sarah, the meeting will begin at 10 a.m.”
👉 Example: A coworker already told everyone about the meeting time, and you are reminding another colleague.
Best for: Emails, conversations, and workplace communication.
4. As reported by
Reply: “As reported by the local newspaper, the event attracted thousands of visitors.”
👉 Example: You are writing an article and want to refer to information published by a news organization.
Best for: Journalism, blogs, and reports.
5. As explained by
Reply: “As explained by the teacher, the assignment must be submitted online.”
👉 Example: A teacher gives instructions during class, and you explain those instructions to a classmate later.
Best for: Instructions, explanations, and educational writing.
6. In the words of
Reply: “In the words of the author, success requires patience.”
👉 Example: You want to highlight someone’s exact viewpoint or memorable statement in an essay.
Best for: Essays, speeches, articles, and quotations.
7. As indicated by
Reply: “As indicated by the survey, customers prefer shorter delivery times.”
👉 Example: You are presenting survey results during a business meeting.
Best for: Data-driven or formal writing.
B. Flowy / Natural Alternatives
Sometimes you want your writing to sound less formal and more natural. These phrases can help.
8. As noted in
Reply: “As noted in the report, sales improved during the final quarter.”
👉 Example: You are discussing a company report with a colleague and referring to a specific finding.
Best for: Business writing and reports.
9. As mentioned in
Reply: “As mentioned in the article, the company plans to expand next year.”
👉 Example: Someone asks where you got a particular piece of information from.
Best for: Blogs, articles, emails, and general writing.
10. As described by
Reply: “As described by the author, the city has changed dramatically.”
👉 Example: You are summarizing how an author portrays a city in a book.
Best for: Books, essays, reviews, and descriptive writing.
11. As outlined by
Reply: “As outlined by the company, the new plan has three main goals.”
👉 Example: Your boss presents a strategy document, and you summarize its main points for your team.
Best for: Plans, proposals, strategies, and business documents.
12. As indicated in
Reply: “As indicated in the survey, most customers value fast service.”
👉 Example: You are writing a report based on customer feedback.
Best for: Research and data-based content.
13. As pointed out by
Reply: “As pointed out by James, the current system has several weaknesses.”
👉 Example: During a group discussion, James identifies a problem that others had overlooked.
Best for: Discussions, essays, and conversational writing.
14. As observed by
Reply: “As observed by several experts, the industry is changing rapidly.”
👉 Example: You are discussing a trend that multiple experts have noticed.
Best for: Analytical and professional writing.
C. Confident / Self-Respect Alternatives
These alternatives are useful when you want your writing to sound direct, authoritative, and clear rather than repetitive.
15. Based on
Reply: “Based on the available evidence, the decision appears reasonable.”
👉 Example: You review several pieces of evidence before explaining your conclusion in a report.
Best for: Arguments, analysis, and evidence-based writing.
16. Based on the findings
Reply: “Based on the findings, the company should reconsider its strategy.”
👉 Example: After reviewing research results, you make a recommendation to your manager.
Best for: Research papers and professional reports.
17. The evidence suggests
Reply: “The evidence suggests that customers want more flexible payment options.”
👉 Example: You analyze customer data and explain what the numbers appear to show.
Best for: Analytical writing.
18. The data shows
Reply: “The data shows a steady increase in online purchases.”
👉 Example: You are presenting a graph during a business presentation.
Best for: Reports, presentations, and statistics.
19. Research indicates
Reply: “Research indicates that regular practice improves performance.”
👉 Example: You are explaining a research-backed idea in an educational article.
Best for: Academic and informative content.
20. The findings reveal
Reply: “The findings reveal a significant change in consumer behavior.”
👉 Example: You have completed a study and are explaining its most important result.
Best for: Research and academic writing.
21. The report confirms
Reply: “The report confirms that customer satisfaction has improved.”
👉 Example: A new company report supports what the team had already suspected.
Best for: Business communication.
D. Funny / Savage Alternatives
Not every use of “according to” has to sound serious. In casual conversations, you can replace it with playful phrases when the situation allows.
22. If you ask me
Reply: “If you ask me, that was the best decision.”
👉 Example: Your friend asks which restaurant you liked most, and you confidently give your opinion.
Best for: Casual conversations and texting.
23. From what I’ve heard
Reply: “From what I’ve heard, he is moving to another city.”
👉 Example: A friend asks whether you know about someone’s plans, but your information comes from other people.
Best for: Casual conversation.
24. From what I understand
Reply: “From what I understand, the meeting has been canceled.”
👉 Example: You received partial information about a schedule change and want to make that clear.
Best for: Everyday conversation and workplace communication.
25. Word on the street is
Reply: “Word on the street is that the café is opening next month.”
👉 Example: You are joking around with friends about a new business opening nearby.
Best for: Casual and humorous situations.
26. Rumor has it
Reply: “Rumor has it that they are planning a big announcement.”
👉 Example: Your friends are discussing an exciting but unconfirmed piece of news.
Best for: Informal conversations.
27. Apparently
Reply: “Apparently, the concert has been moved to Saturday.”
👉 Example: Someone tells you about a schedule change, but you have not personally confirmed it.
Best for: Casual communication.
28. Word is
Reply: “Word is, the team is getting a new manager.”
👉 Example: Coworkers are discussing a possible management change.
Best for: Informal workplace conversations.
E. Curious / Thoughtful / Mature Alternatives
These phrases are ideal when you want to show that you are being careful, thoughtful, or analytical.
29. In the view of
Reply: “In the view of many experts, the policy needs revision.”
👉 Example: You are writing an article that compares expert opinions about a controversial issue.
Best for: Formal and analytical writing.
30. From the perspective of
Reply: “From the perspective of customers, the new policy may be inconvenient.”
👉 Example: You are discussing a business decision and considering how customers might experience it.
Best for: Essays, reports, and thoughtful discussions.
31. In the opinion of
Reply: “In the opinion of the committee, the proposal should be reconsidered.”
👉 Example: You are reporting what a committee thinks about a proposal.
Best for: Formal writing.
32. From what I gather
Reply: “From what I gather, the project is still on schedule.”
👉 Example: You have spoken with several coworkers and formed an understanding of the project’s progress.
Best for: Conversation and workplace communication.
33. To the best of my knowledge
Reply: “To the best of my knowledge, no changes have been made.”
👉 Example: Someone asks whether a policy has changed, but you want to avoid pretending you are completely certain.
Best for: Professional and careful communication.
34. As far as I understand
Reply: “As far as I understand, the position has already been filled.”
👉 Example: You received an update but want to acknowledge that your information may not be complete.
Best for: Emails and everyday professional conversations.
35. In light of
Reply: “In light of the recent findings, the team changed its approach.”
👉 Example: New research provides information that causes a company to rethink its original plan.
Best for: Formal, analytical, and academic writing.
4. Real-Life Examples: Choosing the Right Alternative
Knowing alternatives is helpful, but knowing when to use them is even more important.
Here are some quick examples.
When Writing an Academic Essay
Reply: “Research indicates that regular exercise can improve overall well-being.”
👉 Example: Instead of repeatedly writing “According to research,” you use “Research indicates” to make your academic writing more varied.
When Writing a Business Report
Reply: “Based on the available data, sales are expected to increase.”
👉 Example: You are presenting quarterly numbers and want to connect your conclusion directly to the evidence.
When Writing a News Article
Reply: “As reported by local officials, the road will reopen tomorrow.”
👉 Example: You are sharing information that came directly from officials.
When Texting a Friend
Reply: “From what I’ve heard, the party starts at eight.”
👉 Example: Your friend asks what time everyone is meeting, but you only know because another friend told you.
When You Are Not Completely Certain
Reply: “To the best of my knowledge, the event is still happening.”
👉 Example: Someone asks about an event several days away, and you want to avoid sounding more certain than you really are.
5. Real-Life Situations: Which Alternative Is Best?
Situation 1: Your Crush Says Something Interesting
If someone you like tells you about a new restaurant, you could casually respond:
Best reply: “From what I’ve heard, it’s actually really good.”
This sounds relaxed and natural rather than overly formal.
Situation 2: A Friend Shares a Rumor
Your friend says, “I heard they might move the office.”
Best reply: “Apparently, that’s what everyone is saying.”
It keeps the conversation casual without presenting the rumor as confirmed fact.
Situation 3: Someone Says Something Too Early
A coworker claims a project is definitely going to succeed before the results are available.
Best reply: “Based on what we know so far, it looks promising.”
This sounds confident without making an unsupported claim.
Situation 4: You Are Writing an Academic Paper
You need to reference a study several times.
Best reply: Use phrases such as “research indicates,” “the study found,” “the findings suggest,” and “the researchers observed.”
This creates variety while keeping the academic tone professional.
Situation 5: You’re Not Interested in Someone’s Opinion
Someone keeps insisting that their personal opinion is a proven fact.
Best reply: “That may be your perspective, but the available evidence suggests otherwise.”
It is firm without being unnecessarily rude.
6. What to Avoid When Replacing “According To”
Using alternatives is useful, but there are a few mistakes worth avoiding.
1. Don’t replace it with a phrase that changes the meaning
“According to the report” and “the report proves” are not always equivalent.
One simply attributes information; the other can imply certainty.
2. Don’t make formal writing unnecessarily complicated
You do not need to replace “according to” with an obscure phrase just to sound intelligent.
Simple writing is usually stronger.
3. Don’t use “apparently” for verified facts
“Apparently” can suggest that you heard something indirectly or are not completely certain.
Use it carefully.
4. Don’t confuse an opinion with evidence
“In my opinion” is very different from “research indicates.”
One expresses a personal view; the other refers to evidence or research.
5. Don’t overuse the alternatives
Replacing “according to” with “as noted by” in every paragraph does not solve the repetition problem.
Vary your sentence structure too.
6. Don’t forget the source
Changing “according to” does not remove the need to identify your source when proper attribution is required.
For example:
Weak: Research indicates that the product is effective.
Stronger: A 2025 industry survey indicates that the product is effective.
Specific attribution gives readers more confidence.
7. Pro Tips for Using Better Alternatives
Tip 1: Match the phrase to the source
Use “as reported by” for news sources, “research indicates” for studies, and “in the view of” for opinions.
The right phrase makes your writing more precise.
Tip 2: Think about certainty
If information is confirmed, you can say:
“The report confirms…”
If it is less certain, consider:
“From what I understand…”
Your wording should reflect how confident you actually are.
Tip 3: Change the entire sentence when necessary
Sometimes the best alternative is not another phrase at all.
Instead of:
“According to the study, sleep improves concentration.”
Try:
“The study found that sleep improves concentration.”
This sounds cleaner and eliminates the repeated structure completely.
8. Conclusion
“According to” is a perfectly useful phrase, but your writing becomes more engaging when you know how to move beyond it.
Whether you choose “as stated by,” “as reported by,” “research indicates,” “based on,” “from what I understand,” or “from the perspective of,” the key is to match your wording to the situation.
The goal is not to avoid “according to” completely. The goal is to write with variety, accuracy, and confidence.
Good writing is not about using the fanciest words. It is about choosing the right words for the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is another word for “according to”?
Some useful alternatives include “as stated by,” “as reported by,” “as noted by,” “as mentioned by,” “based on,” “research indicates,” and “in the view of.” The best choice depends on the context and the source you are referring to.
2. What is a professional way to say “according to”?
For professional writing, you can use phrases such as “as stated by,” “as noted by,” “as reported by,” “as indicated by,” or “based on the available evidence.” These work well in emails, reports, presentations, and business documents.
3. How can I avoid repeating “according to” in an essay?
Change both the phrase and the sentence structure. For example, instead of repeatedly writing “According to the study,” try “The study found,” “Research indicates,” “The findings suggest,” or “The researchers observed.” This makes your essay more natural and varied.
4. Is “based on” the same as “according to”?
Not always. “According to” usually attributes information to a particular source, while “based on” emphasizes the evidence, information, or reasoning behind a conclusion. They can overlap in some sentences, but they are not always interchangeable.
5. What is a casual alternative to “according to”?
For casual conversations, try “from what I’ve heard,” “from what I understand,” “apparently,” “word is,” “rumor has it,” or “if you ask me.” Choose the phrase based on whether you are sharing information, a rumor, or your own opinion.
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Wilson Hayes is an SEO content writer and internet slang expert who explains modern online terms in simple and easy language. He helps readers understand social media trends, texting slang, and digital communication without confusion.