Other Ways to Say According To | 240+ Natural Alternatives

Useful alternatives to according to include as stated by, as reported by, based on, as noted by, in the words of, per, as indicated by, and as described by. The best choice depends on your tone and source.

Finding a better alternative to according to can make your writing sound less repetitive and more precise. The right phrase can also show whether you’re citing a person, report, study, statistic, opinion, or piece of evidence. Below, you’ll find natural alternatives organized by context, from casual conversations to academic and professional writing.

Formal Ways to Say According To

Formal writing often benefits from wording that clearly identifies the source without sounding repetitive. These alternatives work well in reports, essays, official documents, and polished prose.

As stated by
As noted by
As reported by
As indicated by
As described by
As outlined by
As explained by
As documented by
As recorded by
As observed by
As confirmed by
As identified by
As demonstrated by
As established by
As specified by
As cited by
As presented by
As documented in
As detailed by
As set out by

Professional Alternatives for According To

Workplace communication usually calls for language that is clear, confident, and easy to understand. These options fit emails, presentations, reports, proposals, and business documents.

As reported in the latest update
As noted in the report
As stated in the company policy
As outlined in the proposal
As mentioned in the briefing
As indicated in the results
As explained by the team
As confirmed by management
As shared by the department
As communicated by the office
As provided by the client
As identified in the review
As reflected in the data
As shown in the findings
As detailed in the summary
As presented in the meeting
As highlighted in the report
As recorded in the minutes
As specified in the agreement
As referenced in the document

Academic and Research Alternatives

Academic writing often needs precise source attribution. These alternatives help you vary your wording while keeping the connection between a claim and its source clear.

As stated in the study
As reported by the researchers
As noted in the research
As observed in the study
As indicated by the findings
As demonstrated by the research
As suggested by the evidence
As supported by the literature
As documented in the research
As described in the article
As outlined in the paper
As explained by the authors
As identified by the researchers
As established in previous research
As confirmed by the study
As highlighted in the literature
As presented in the findings
As discussed in the research
As examined in the study
As concluded by the authors

Simple Everyday Alternatives for According To

Not every sentence needs formal wording. In casual writing, straightforward expressions often sound more natural and less stiff.

Per the information
As they said
As she mentioned
As he explained
As you noted
As you mentioned
As we discussed
As I was told
As they explained
Based on what she said
Based on what he said
Based on what you shared
From what I heard
From what she said
From what he explained
From what they told us
As mentioned earlier
As you pointed out
As we heard
As far as they said

Alternatives for Citing a Source

When you need to make it obvious that information comes from a particular source, these expressions can make attribution more specific and readable.

Cited by
Cited in
Referenced by
Referenced in
Quoted by
Quoted in
Mentioned by
Mentioned in
Reported by
Published by
Written by
Stated by the source
Identified in the source
Described in the source
Explained in the source
Documented in the source
Recorded in the source
Presented by the source
Provided by the source
Drawn from the source

Alternatives for Reports and Data

Statistical and factual writing often works better when the wording shows exactly where the information comes from. These choices are especially useful in reports, research summaries, and analytical articles.

The data shows
The figures indicate
The statistics suggest
The results show
The findings indicate
The report states
The survey found
The study found
The analysis shows
The records indicate
The evidence suggests
The figures reveal
The report notes
The research indicates
The results demonstrate
The dataset shows
The review found
The assessment indicates
The available evidence shows
The reported figures suggest

Alternatives for Opinions and Viewpoints

When you’re attributing an idea, belief, or interpretation, it helps to choose wording that makes the speaker’s perspective clear.

In the view of
In the opinion of
From the perspective of
From their point of view
From her perspective
From his perspective
As she sees it
As he sees it
As they see it
In her view
In his view
In their view
As they understand it
As she understands it
As he understands it
By their account
By her account
By his account
From their standpoint
According to their interpretation

Alternatives Based on Evidence or Information

Sometimes according to is too vague because you’re actually referring to evidence, observations, records, or available information. These alternatives make the basis of the statement clearer.

Based on the evidence
Based on the available information
Based on the records
Based on the findings
Based on the research
Based on the data
Based on the results
Based on the report
Based on the current evidence
In light of the findings
In light of the available data
In view of the evidence
On the basis of the findings
On the basis of the evidence
On the basis of the report
Drawing from the research
Drawing on the available data
Supported by the evidence
Grounded in the findings
Consistent with the available information

Alternatives for Emails and Workplace Writing

In professional emails, repeating according to can make otherwise clear writing feel mechanical. These alternatives keep your message polished without making it overly formal.

As mentioned in your email
As discussed in our call
As noted in the message
As outlined in the attachment
As requested in your email
As stated in the previous message
As confirmed during the meeting
As explained in your note
As highlighted in the presentation
As indicated in the schedule
As shared during the discussion
As provided in the document
As specified in the request
As referenced in the proposal
As agreed in our meeting
As reflected in the latest update
Based on your instructions
Based on the information provided
In line with your guidance
Per our earlier discussion

Alternatives for News and Journalism

News writing frequently attributes information to officials, organizations, studies, and reports. The best alternatives make attribution concise while helping readers understand the source.

Officials said
Researchers said
The report said
The study found
The agency reported
The organization stated
The spokesperson said
The department said
The survey found
The investigation found
The analysis showed
Records show
Documents show
Court records indicate
Government data shows
The statement said
The announcement noted
The filing states
The report indicated
Sources familiar with the matter said

Alternatives to Avoid Repeating According To

When the phrase appears several times in one paragraph, subtle changes in attribution can improve rhythm and readability. These options let you vary the structure naturally.

As noted earlier
As previously stated
As previously reported
As previously mentioned
As outlined above
As described earlier
As discussed previously
As the report explains
As the study indicates
As the figures show
As the findings reveal
As the evidence suggests
The source notes that
The report explains that
The study suggests that
The data indicates that
The researchers observed that
The authors argue that
The records show that
The evidence indicates that

Sentence-Ready Alternatives With Context

Sometimes you need more than a synonym. These sentence patterns show how different alternatives can fit naturally into real writing.

As stated by the author, the policy needs revision.
As reported by the agency, the figures changed slightly.
Based on the latest data, demand has increased.
As noted in the study, the results were mixed.
In the view of the committee, further review is needed.
As outlined in the proposal, the project has three stages.
Per the agreement, payment is due within thirty days.
As explained by the manager, the schedule was revised.
The survey found that most participants preferred flexibility.
The report indicates that costs have risen.
Researchers observed that the pattern appeared consistently.
The findings suggest that additional testing may help.
As documented in the records, the event occurred in June.
The figures show a gradual change over time.
As described by the witness, the sequence unfolded quickly.
In light of the evidence, the recommendation was reconsidered.
The article states that the program began several years ago.
As confirmed by the department, the deadline remains unchanged.
Drawing on the research, the authors proposed a different approach.
As reflected in the latest report, priorities have shifted.

FAQs

What are the best other ways to say according to?
Common alternatives include as stated by, as reported by, based on, as noted by, per, and in the view of.

What is a formal way to say according to?
Formal options include as stated by, as indicated by, as documented by, as outlined by, and as reported by.

What can I say instead of according to in academic writing?
Academic alternatives include as reported by the researchers, as indicated by the findings, and as supported by the literature.

What is a simple replacement for according to?
Simple replacements include as mentioned, based on what was said, from what I heard, and as explained by.

How do I avoid repeating according to in an essay?
Vary attribution with source-specific structures such as the study found, the report states, the data indicates, or the author argues.

Conclusion

The best alternative to according to depends on what you’re actually attributing. A report may call for as stated in, research may suit as indicated by the findings, while everyday conversation can use as mentioned or based on what they said. Choose the phrase that matches your source and tone, and your writing will feel more precise without sounding repetitive. A small wording change can make a sentence much smoother’

Noah Sullivan

Noah Sullivan is an experienced digital writer at Replywords.com who enjoys turning complex ideas into simple, useful and engaging content. He combines thoughtful research with a reader-first approach, creating articles that are easy to understand, relevant and naturally optimized for search. His goal is to make every piece informative, practical and worth reading.