"according to" vs ", according to"

Question

"according to" vs ", according to"

Both "according to" and ", according to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "According to" is the standard form used to introduce a source or reference, while ", according to" is used when the phrase is part of a larger sentence and needs to be set off by commas.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Use "according to" when you want to credit someone else's work or ideas.

Tip: Don't use "according to" to cite your own opinions. One possible phrase to use in this situation is "in my opinion."

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some examples from our editors:

According to our professor, we have to write our term papers in APA format.
According to the New York Times, the defendant was convicted of seven felonies.
According to his biography, he attended Yale.

Some alternatives from our editors:

as stated by

This phrase is used when the phrase 'according to' is part of a larger sentence and needs to be set off by commas.

Examples:

The results, according to the study, were inconclusive.
She will arrive late, according to her text message.

Answer 1

according to

This is correct

Answer 2

, according to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"according to" vs ", according to"

according to

, according to

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