according to
according to (prepositional phrase)
/əˈkɔːr.dɪŋ tuː/
Meanings
- As stated, or reported by someone.
- In agreement with rules, instructions, or plans.
- Depending on a person’s opinion or judgment.
- Based on information, records, or evidence.
- In a way that matches a system or arrangement.
Synonyms: as stated by; as reported by; based on; in line with; in accordance with; as per; depending on; consistent with.
Example Sentences
- according to the local news, the highway would remain closed until morning.
- The furniture was arranged according to the designer’s original plan.
- according to Michael, the meeting had already been postponed once before.
- The final decision was made according to the available evidence.
- The documents were sorted according to date for easier review.
Etymology and Origin
The phrase “according to” draws its meaning from ideas of harmony and agreement that stretch back to ancient concepts of the human heart as the seat of thought and feeling. It builds directly on the verb “accord,” which entered English in the early 12th century. At its core, the word suggests bringing hearts or minds into alignment, a notion that feels both intimate and practical.
Development in Middle English
English speakers shaped the phrase during the Middle English period, roughly from the 12th to the 15th century. The form “according” first appeared around 1300 as a way to describe things that matched or corresponded. By the late 14th century, writers began pairing it with “to” to create the familiar preposition we use today, meaning “in agreement with” or “as stated by.” This shift happened naturally as English absorbed French influences after the Norman Conquest, blending everyday speech with more formal expressions of reference and compliance.
Origin in England
The phrase first took root in England. Middle English was evolving there amid a mix of native traditions and continental vocabulary, and “according to” emerged as part of that vibrant linguistic growth. No other country claims an earlier version; it belongs squarely to the English language as it developed on British soil in the centuries following 1066.
Earliest Appearances in Writing
The phrase surfaces in English texts from the late 14th century onward. Writers of the time—working in prose translations, poems, and religious works—used it to link ideas or cite sources without always naming them directly. These early examples appear in handwritten manuscripts rather than printed books, since the printing press had not yet reached England. The construction quickly proved useful for explaining rules, stories, or opinions in a clear, neutral way.
Growth Through Later Centuries
Once established, “according to” spread steadily through English literature and everyday talk. By the 15th and 16th centuries it showed up more often in printed books, helping authors refer to authorities, customs, or documents. Over time it gained the handy ability to stand in for a person’s statement or belief, even when the exact speaker stays unnamed. This flexibility made it a favorite in legal texts, histories, and conversations alike, where precision matters but brevity helps.
A Quietly Useful Expression
What makes the phrase interesting is how it quietly bridges agreement and reference. It carries no dramatic folklore or controversy, yet it has served generations of speakers by letting them acknowledge a source while keeping focus on the point at hand. In a world full of claims and counter-claims, “according to” remains a simple tool for clarity—one that reminds us language often grows from the desire to find common ground rather than to dazzle or divide.
Variants
- according as
- as per
- in accordance with
- in line with
- based on
- on the authority of
Similar Idioms
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