According vs. According to

Attribute	According	According to
Definition	As stated by	In the opinion of
Usage	Used to introduce a source or authority	Used to introduce a viewpoint or belief
Formality	Can be used in formal and informal contexts	Generally used in formal contexts
Followed by	A noun or noun phrase	A clause or phrase

Definition

According and according to are two phrases that are often used interchangeably in English. However, they have slightly different meanings and uses. According is a preposition that means "as stated by" or "in a manner consistent with." According to, on the other hand, is a prepositional phrase that means "as stated by" or "in the opinion of." While both phrases are used to introduce a source or reference, according to is more commonly used in formal writing.

Usage

According is typically used before a noun or pronoun to introduce a source or reference. For example, "According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow." In this sentence, according introduces the weather forecast as the source of the information about the rain. According to is also used to introduce a source or reference, but it is followed by a noun or pronoun. For example, "According to the teacher, the exam will be next week." In this sentence, according to introduces the teacher as the source of the information about the exam.

Formality

According to is generally considered more formal than according. While both phrases can be used in both formal and informal contexts, according to is often preferred in academic writing, research papers, and other formal documents. According, on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday speech and informal writing. For example, you might say "According to the latest research, climate change is a serious threat" in a formal essay, but you might say "According to my mom, dinner is ready" in a casual conversation.

Clarity

Using according to can sometimes make a sentence clearer and more precise. When you use according to, you are explicitly stating the source of the information or opinion. This can help avoid confusion or ambiguity. For example, if you say "According to the report, sales are down," it is clear that the information comes from the report. On the other hand, if you simply say "According to the sales are down," it is not clear where the information is coming from.

Variety

While according to is more commonly used in formal writing, using according can add variety to your writing. By alternating between according and according to, you can avoid repetition and make your writing more interesting. Additionally, using according can sometimes make a sentence less formal and more conversational, which can be appropriate in certain contexts. For example, instead of saying "According to the study, the results were inconclusive," you could say "According to the study, the results were inconclusive."

Conclusion

In conclusion, according and according to are two phrases that are often used interchangeably in English. While they have similar meanings and uses, according to is generally considered more formal and precise. However, using according can add variety to your writing and make it more interesting. Ultimately, the choice between according and according to depends on the context and tone of your writing. It is important to consider the formality, clarity, and variety of your writing when deciding which phrase to use.