Common Mistakes with ‘according to’ in Academic Writing
In academic writing, the phrase according to is used to cite a source, report someone else’s opinion, or reference data. The most common mistake learners make is using it to state their own opinion or to introduce a fact that is not attributed to a specific source. For example, writing “According to me, the results are clear” is incorrect because according to requires an external, third-party source. This guide explains the correct usage, highlights frequent errors, and provides clear alternatives so you can use this linking phrase with confidence in essays, reports, and formal emails.
Quick Answer: When and How to Use ‘according to’
Use according to to introduce information that comes from a specific person, organization, study, or document. It signals that you are reporting someone else’s viewpoint or findings, not your own. The structure is: According to + [source] + [statement].
- Correct: According to the World Health Organization, regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Incorrect: According to me, this theory is outdated.
- Correct: According to the 2021 study by Kim et al., social media usage increases during holidays.
Remember: According to is neutral. It does not mean you agree or disagree with the source — it simply reports what the source says.
Understanding the Core Meaning
According to is a prepositional phrase that attributes information to a source. It is widely used in academic writing, news reports, and formal discussions. The source can be a person (e.g., “According to Dr. Smith”), an organization (e.g., “According to the United Nations”), a document (e.g., “According to the report”), or a study (e.g., “According to recent research”).
This phrase is not appropriate for expressing your own beliefs, opinions, or conclusions. When you want to state your own view, use phrases like In my opinion, I believe, or From my perspective. Mixing these up is one of the most frequent errors in student essays.
Common Mistakes with ‘according to’
Mistake 1: Using ‘according to’ with yourself
This is the most common error. You cannot say “According to me” or “According to my opinion” because you are not an external source. Your own opinion should be introduced with different language.
Incorrect: According to me, the government should invest more in education.
Correct: In my opinion, the government should invest more in education.
Correct (with a source): According to the Ministry of Education, investment in schools has increased by 10%.
Mistake 2: Using ‘according to’ for general facts
Do not use according to for facts that are common knowledge or universally accepted. For example, “According to science, water boils at 100°C” sounds odd because this is a well-established fact, not an opinion from a specific source. Instead, simply state the fact.
Incorrect: According to biology, humans need oxygen to survive.
Correct: Humans need oxygen to survive.
Mistake 3: Confusing ‘according to’ with ‘because of’ or ‘due to’
According to does not indicate cause and effect. It only attributes a statement to a source. If you want to explain a reason, use because of or due to.
Incorrect: According to the heavy rain, the match was cancelled.
Correct: Due to the heavy rain, the match was cancelled.
Correct (with source): According to the weather forecast, heavy rain is expected tomorrow.
Mistake 4: Using ‘according to’ with vague sources
In academic writing, your source should be specific. Avoid vague references like “According to some people” or “According to many studies” without naming the studies. Always provide enough detail for the reader to evaluate the credibility of the source.
Weak: According to some researchers, climate change is accelerating.
Better: According to a 2023 study published in Nature Climate Change, the rate of ice melt has doubled in the last decade.
Comparison Table: ‘according to’ vs. Similar Phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| According to | Attributes information to a source | According to the report, sales increased. | Using it for your own opinion |
| In my opinion | States your personal view | In my opinion, the policy is effective. | Using it to cite a source |
| Due to / Because of | Indicates a reason or cause | The delay was due to technical issues. | Using it to attribute a statement |
| As stated by | Formal attribution (similar to according to) | As stated by the author, the theory has limitations. | Overuse in informal writing |
| Based on | Shows foundation or evidence | Based on the data, we can conclude… | Confusing with “according to” for opinions |
Natural Examples in Context
Here are examples of according to used correctly in different academic and professional situations:
- Essay: According to the World Bank, global poverty rates have fallen by half since 2000.
- Report: According to the survey results, 78% of participants preferred online learning.
- Email: According to the project timeline, the first draft is due next Friday.
- Conversation (formal): According to the professor, the exam will cover chapters 5 through 8.
- News summary: According to a government spokesperson, new regulations will take effect in January.
Notice that in each case, the source is clearly named and the statement is a report of what that source says, not the writer’s own conclusion.
Better Alternatives to ‘according to’
Depending on your purpose, you may want to use a different phrase. Here are some alternatives and when to use them:
- As stated by / As noted by: Use in formal academic writing when you want to emphasize the source. Example: As noted by Johnson (2019), the findings are inconclusive.
- In the view of: Use when discussing someone’s perspective. Example: In the view of many economists, inflation will remain high.
- Based on: Use when your statement is derived from evidence. Example: Based on the experimental data, the hypothesis is supported.
- According to the data / According to the evidence: Use when the source is a dataset or research findings. Example: According to the evidence, early intervention improves outcomes.
- Per: A more concise alternative, common in business and academic contexts. Example: Per the guidelines, all submissions must be in PDF format.
When you want to express your own opinion, never use according to. Instead, try:
- In my view
- I argue that
- It seems to me that
- From my perspective
When to Use ‘according to’ (and When Not To)
Use it when:
- You are citing a specific study, report, or expert.
- You want to remain neutral and let the source speak.
- You are writing a literature review or summarizing research.
- You need to attribute a statistic or claim to a credible source.
Do not use it when:
- You are stating your own opinion or conclusion.
- The information is common knowledge.
- You are explaining a cause or reason (use due to or because of).
- The source is vague or unnamed.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
According to is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is most common in formal writing. In casual conversation, people often say “Someone said that…” or “I heard that…” instead. For example:
- Formal (academic essay): According to the 2022 study by Patel, the correlation is significant.
- Informal (conversation): My friend said the movie was really good.
In business emails, according to is appropriate when referencing a document or a colleague’s instructions. For example: “According to the client’s email, the deadline has been extended.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid (Summary)
- Never use “according to me” or “according to my opinion.” Use “In my opinion” instead.
- Do not use it for general facts. Simply state the fact without attribution.
- Do not confuse it with cause-and-effect phrases. Use “due to” or “because of” for reasons.
- Always name a specific source. Avoid vague references like “according to some.”
- Do not use it to introduce your own argument. Use “I argue” or “This essay contends.”
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct option for each sentence. Answers are below.
- __________ the CEO, the company will expand into Asia next year.
a) According to
b) In my opinion
c) Due to - __________, the experiment was poorly designed.
a) According to me
b) In my opinion
c) According to the researcher - The flight was cancelled __________ the storm.
a) according to
b) due to
c) as stated by - __________ the 2020 census, the population grew by 7%.
a) According to
b) Because of
c) In my view
Answers: 1. a, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use “according to” in an email?
Yes, especially in formal or professional emails. For example: “According to the meeting notes, the budget was approved.” In informal emails to friends, it may sound too stiff; you can use “I heard” or “Someone said” instead.
2. Is “according to” always followed by a noun?
Yes, according to is a prepositional phrase, so it must be followed by a noun or noun phrase (the source). For example: “According to the study” (noun), not “According to studied” (verb).
3. What is the difference between “according to” and “as per”?
Both are used to reference a source, but as per is more common in business and legal writing. According to is more general and widely used in academic contexts. Example: “As per your request” (business) vs. “According to the theory” (academic).
4. Can I use “according to” with a question?
No, according to introduces a statement, not a question. For example, do not write: “According to the report, why did sales drop?” Instead, write: “According to the report, sales dropped due to supply chain issues.”
Final Tips for Academic Writing
To use according to correctly, always ask yourself: “Who said this?” If the answer is “I did” or “Everyone knows that,” do not use according to. If the answer is a specific person, study, or document, then according to is appropriate. Practice by reading academic articles and noticing how authors attribute information. Over time, this will become natural.
For more help with linking words and common writing pitfalls, explore our Common Writing Mistakes section. You can also review Essay Starters and Transition Word Examples to strengthen your academic writing. If you have further questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
