According to vs. Based on

Attribute	According to	Based on
Definition	Indicates the source of information or opinion	Indicates the foundation or reason for something
Usage	Commonly used to introduce a statement or belief	Commonly used to explain the reasoning behind a decision or action
Subjectivity	Can be subjective, based on individual perspectives	Usually more objective, based on facts or evidence
Authority	May rely on personal authority or expertise	May rely on external sources or data

Definition

According to and Based on are two phrases commonly used in English language to attribute information or opinions to a source. According to is used to introduce a statement made by someone else, while Based on is used to indicate the foundation or reasoning behind a particular idea or decision.

Usage

According to is often used when citing a specific person, text, or authority as the source of information. For example, "According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow." On the other hand, Based on is used to explain the rationale or evidence that supports a claim or conclusion. For instance, "Based on the data collected, we can conclude that there is a correlation between exercise and mental health."

Attribution

When using According to, the emphasis is on the source of the information or opinion. It is important to accurately attribute the statement to the correct person or text. For example, "According to the professor, the exam will be postponed." In contrast, Based on focuses on the reasoning or evidence that supports a claim. It is used to provide a basis for a conclusion or decision. For instance, "Based on the results of the experiment, we can infer that the hypothesis is correct."

Subjectivity

According to can sometimes imply a level of subjectivity, as it relies on the perspective or interpretation of the source. For example, "According to John, the movie was boring." On the other hand, Based on is often used to convey a more objective or factual basis for a statement. For instance, "Based on historical records, the battle took place in 1776."

Formality

According to is generally considered more formal in tone compared to Based on. It is often used in academic writing, news articles, and formal reports. For example, "According to the latest research, climate change is a pressing issue." Based on, on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday language and informal settings. For instance, "Based on what you've told me, I think you should see a doctor."

Flexibility

According to can be used to attribute a wide range of information, including opinions, facts, statistics, and reports. It is a versatile phrase that can be applied to various contexts. For example, "According to the survey results, 80% of respondents prefer tea over coffee." Based on, on the other hand, is often used to link a specific piece of evidence or data to a conclusion. It is more focused on the logical reasoning behind a statement. For instance, "Based on the eyewitness accounts, the suspect was apprehended by the police."

Conclusion

In conclusion, According to and Based on are both useful phrases for attributing information or opinions to a source. According to is more focused on the source of the information, while Based on emphasizes the reasoning or evidence behind a claim. Understanding the differences between these two phrases can help improve clarity and precision in communication.