Word
according
Phoneticsac·cord·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkɔɹdɪŋ/
UK/ɐkˈɔːdɪŋ/
Definitions
01as stated by
B1 · Intermediate
prep. you use this to say who said something or where you found information.
prep. used to indicate the source of a statement or information; functions as part of the complex preposition 'according to'.
“According to the weather report, it will rain later this afternoon.”
“According to the latest census data, the urban population has grown by nearly fifteen percent over the last decade.”
Usage
Always followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or pronoun.
Pitfall
According to my opinion, the movie was too long.
In my opinion, the movie was too long.
Do not use 'according to' for your own personal opinion. Use 'in my opinion' or 'I think' instead.
Teaching tip
Remind students that 'according to' is for external sources, not for their own thoughts.
Synonyms
02depending on
B2 · Upper Intermediate
prep. in a way that matches a particular system or set of rules.
prep. in a manner that is consistent with or determined by a particular system, rule, or status.
“The students were grouped according to their reading level.”
“The inheritance was distributed among the heirs according to the specific instructions laid out in the final will.”
Usage
Used with 'to' to show a relationship of proportion or classification.
Synonyms
03matching or agreeing
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
adj. matching or in agreement with something else.
adj. agreeing or harmonious; often used in formal contexts to describe things that match.
“The two countries reached an according agreement on trade.”
“The witness provided an according account that supported the defendant's version of events during the trial.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Teaching tip
This adjective use is rare in modern speech; students will mostly encounter it in older literature or very formal legal documents.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From accord + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADVERB
PREPOSITION
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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