According To vs. Based On: Meaning, Differences, Rules, and Examples

1. Introduction: According To vs. Based On

According to vs. based on is a common English usage question because both expressions help us explain where information, opinions, or decisions come from. However, they are not always interchangeable. Understanding the difference between these phrases can help you write clearer sentences, improve your grammar, and communicate more confidently in everyday English.

We use according to when we report information, opinions, statements, or rules from a particular source. For example, “According to the teacher, the exam will begin at nine.” The sentence tells us what the teacher said.

In contrast, based on means that something is developed, decided, or formed using particular information, facts, evidence, or experience. For example, “The decision was based on the available evidence.” Here, the evidence provides the foundation for the decision.

Although both expressions connect ideas with information, their grammatical functions and meanings differ. Therefore, learning when to use each phrase is important for students, professionals, writers, and English learners.

In this guide, you will learn the definitions, sentence structure, grammar rules, common mistakes, and practical examples of according to and based on. You will also explore how these phrases work with verbs, clauses, and different English tenses.

2. Definition of According To and Based On

To understand the difference between these expressions, begin with their basic meanings.

What Does According To Mean?

According to is a prepositional expression used to introduce information attributed to a source. That source may be a person, a report, a study, a rule, a newspaper, or another reference.

Examples:

• According to the doctor, regular exercise can improve overall health.
• According to the report, sales increased last year.
• According to school rules, students must arrive on time.
• According to my friend, the restaurant serves excellent food.

In each example, the phrase tells us where the information or claim comes from.

What Does Based On Mean?

Based on means founded on, developed from, or supported by particular information, evidence, facts, ideas, or experiences.

Examples:

• The movie is based on a true story.
• Our decision was based on careful research.
• The teacher created the test based on the students’ lessons.
• Her opinion is based on personal experience.

In these examples, the information or experience provides a foundation for something else.

Quick rule: Use according to to identify the source of a statement. Use based on to explain the foundation for an idea, decision, conclusion, or creation.

3. Sentence Structure: According To vs. Based On

Understanding sentence structure makes it easier to use these expressions correctly. Both phrases can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, but the words that follow them depend on their meaning.

Sentence Structure With According To

A common pattern is:

According to + source, + main clause.

Examples:

• According to the newspaper, the road will reopen tomorrow.
• According to our teacher, the assignment is due on Friday.
• According to the instructions, you must complete every section.

You can also place the expression later in the sentence:

Main clause + according to + source.

Examples:

• The road will reopen tomorrow, according to the newspaper.
• The meeting starts at ten, according to the schedule.

Sentence Structure With Based On

A common pattern is:

Subject + be verb + based on + information or evidence.

Examples:

• The report is based on recent research.
• The recommendation was based on customer feedback.
• Her conclusion is based on several facts.

Another pattern uses the phrase to describe a noun:

Noun + based on + information or evidence.

Examples:

• We watched a film based on a famous novel.
• The company introduced a plan based on customer needs.
• The students completed an activity based on the lesson.

Remember that based on can function as a participial phrase, often describing a noun or explaining the foundation of an action or decision.

4. Important Grammar Rules for According To and Based On

Although these expressions may look similar, their grammar rules are different. Follow these steps to avoid confusion.

Rule 1: Use According To for Information From a Source

Use according to when reporting what a person, organization, document, or other source says.

Correct:

• According to the principal, the school will remain closed.
• According to the website, the store opens at eight.

The phrase attributes the information to the named source.

Rule 2: Use Based On for Foundations and Evidence

Use based on when an idea, decision, explanation, or product relies on something.

Correct:

• The research is based on reliable data.
• The final score was based on three tests.

The phrase explains what supports or informs the result.

Rule 3: Use the Correct Form of Be Before Based On

When using based on as part of a passive or linking construction, choose the appropriate form of the verb be.

Examples:

• The plan is based on customer feedback.
• The report was based on earlier research.
• The recommendations are based on recent findings.
• The policy will be based on expert advice.

The form of be depends on the subject and the tense.

Rule 4: Do Not Confuse a Source With Evidence

A source may provide information, while evidence supports a conclusion.

Compare these sentences:

• According to the scientist, the experiment was successful.
• The conclusion was based on the experimental results.

The first sentence reports the scientist’s statement. The second explains the foundation of the conclusion.

Rule 5: Do Not Add Unnecessary Words

Both expressions are followed by an appropriate noun phrase or source expression.

Correct:

• According to the report, prices have increased.
• The report is based on official figures.

Incorrect:

• According to of the report, prices have increased.
• The decision is based according to the evidence.

Avoid combining the two expressions unless each has a separate, grammatically appropriate role in the sentence.

5. Examples of According To in Everyday English

The best way to understand according to is to see how it works in different situations.

Examples in Education

1. According to our teacher, the test will cover three chapters.
2. According to the textbook, water freezes at zero degrees Celsius under standard conditions.
3. According to the school notice, classes will resume on Monday.
4. According to the university website, applications close next month.

Examples in Work and Business

5. According to the manager, the meeting has been postponed.
6. According to the annual report, the company increased its revenue.
7. According to the contract, payment must be made within thirty days.
8. According to the customer survey, many people prefer online shopping.

Examples in Daily Conversation

9. According to my brother, the new café is affordable.
10. According to the weather forecast, it may rain this evening.
11. According to the map, the museum is near the station.
12. According to the doctor, I should get more rest.

Notice that the expression identifies the source of the information. It does not automatically mean that the information is true or independently verified. It simply tells the reader who or what the claim is attributed to.

6. Examples of Based On in Different Situations

Now consider examples showing how based on explains the foundation of something.

Examples in Education

• The examination was based on the material taught in class.
• Her answer was based on the evidence provided.
• The assignment is based on a chapter from the textbook.
• The teacher prepared questions based on the students’ reading.

Examples in Business

• The company changed its strategy based on market research.
• Our budget is based on expected expenses.
• The hiring decision was based on the candidates’ qualifications.
• The new policy is based on employee feedback.

Examples in Everyday Life

• This novel is based on historical events.
• His opinion is based on years of experience.
• We chose the hotel based on online reviews.
• The recipe is based on a traditional family dish.

Examples in Science and Research

• The conclusion was based on the experimental results.
• The study is based on data collected from volunteers.
• The prediction was based on earlier observations.
• The recommendations are based on scientific evidence.

These examples show that based on often answers the question, “What information, experience, or evidence supports this?”

7. According To vs. Based On: Comparison Table

The following table summarizes the main differences between the two expressions.

Feature	According To	Based On
Main meaning	As stated or reported by a source	Founded on or developed from something
Main purpose	Attributes information	Explains a foundation or basis
Common following words	A person, report, study, rule, or document	Facts, evidence, data, experience, or ideas
Common position	Beginning or end of a sentence	After a noun or a form of be, among other patterns
Example	According to the report, profits increased.	The forecast is based on recent data.
Key question	Who or what says this?	What supports or informs this?
Typical context	Reporting information or rules	Explaining decisions, conclusions, or creations

Compare the Meaning in Similar Sentences

According to the research, the treatment was effective.

This sentence attributes the claim to the research.

The recommendation was based on the research.

This sentence explains that the research provided the foundation for the recommendation.

The expressions can refer to the same source, but they perform different jobs in the sentence.

8. Common Mistakes and Their Corrections

English learners sometimes use according to and based on interchangeably. The following examples explain common errors.

Mistake 1: Using According To Instead of Based On

Incorrect: The decision was according to the evidence.

Better: The decision was based on the evidence.

Why? The evidence supports the decision rather than simply stating it.

However, “The decision was made according to the rules” is correct because it means the decision followed the rules.

Mistake 2: Using Based On to Attribute a Statement

Incorrect: Based on the doctor, the medicine should be taken twice daily.

Correct: According to the doctor, the medicine should be taken twice daily.

Why? The sentence reports the doctor’s advice, so according to is the appropriate expression.

Mistake 3: Adding the Wrong Preposition

Incorrect: According to of the report, the figures are accurate.

Correct: According to the report, the figures are accurate.

Incorrect: The plan is based according to customer feedback.

Correct: The plan is based on customer feedback.

Mistake 4: Using Based On Without a Clear Connection

Unclear: Based on the teacher, the students passed.

Clearer: According to the teacher, the students passed.

Alternatively: The students’ results were based on their examination scores.

The best choice depends on whether you are reporting the teacher’s statement or explaining how the results were determined.

Mistake 5: Assuming According To Means Something Is Definitely True

Example: According to an online post, the store is closed.

This sentence only reports what the post says. If accuracy matters, check the store’s official website or contact the business directly.

Mistake 6: Forgetting the Verb Form

Incorrect: The policy are based on research.

Correct: The policy is based on research.

Correct: The policies are based on research.

The verb must agree with the subject. This is a basic rule that applies to verbs, sentence structure, and all English tenses.

Read More : Because vs. Because Of: What’s the Difference? Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes

9. Verb Usage and the Connection With English Tenses

Neither according to nor based on independently determines the tense of a sentence. Instead, the main verb and the intended meaning determine which tense is appropriate.

Present Tense

Use the present tense for current facts, general statements, or continuing situations.

• According to the report, sales are increasing.
• The policy is based on current research.
• According to the teacher, the answer is correct.

Past Tense

Use the past tense for completed events or past information.

• According to the report, sales increased last year.
• The decision was based on earlier findings.
• According to the witness, the car stopped suddenly.

Future Tense

Use future forms to discuss predictions, plans, or future decisions.

• According to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
• The new schedule will be based on employee feedback.
• According to the manager, the company will announce its decision next week.

These examples also demonstrate future indefinite tense examples, commonly called simple future tense examples.

Perfect Tenses

Perfect tenses connect one event with another time.

• According to the report, sales have increased.
• The policy has been based on expert recommendations.
• The decision had been based on information available at the time.

The use of had in the past perfect helps show that one past situation existed before another past event or reference point. For example, “The decision had been based on earlier research before new evidence emerged.”

Likewise, understanding has vs. have helps you form present perfect constructions correctly:

• The report has been based on recent data.
• The recommendations have been based on recent data.

The choice between has and have depends on the subject. These grammar rules apply regardless of which expression appears in the sentence.

10. Clauses, Sentence Patterns, and Related Grammar Rules

Both expressions can be used in simple and complex sentences. Understanding clauses helps you combine information naturally.

Using According To With Clauses

A clause contains a subject and a verb. The expression according to commonly introduces a source, while the main clause communicates the reported information.

Examples:

• According to the report, the economy is improving.
• The event will begin at six, according to the organizer.
• According to the rules, everyone must register before entering.

The expression does not itself introduce a complete subordinate clause in the way that because or although can.

For example, “According to the teacher, the test is easy” is standard. In formal writing, “According to the teacher that the test is easy” is generally incorrect. Instead, write “The teacher says that the test is easy” or “According to the teacher, the test is easy.”

Using Based On With Clauses

The phrase based on can describe a noun or explain the basis for an action.

Examples:

• The article, based on several interviews, explains the problem.
• The decision was based on what the committee learned.
• Based on the available evidence, the team changed its approach.

In the last example, the opening phrase explains the basis for the team’s decision. Place it carefully so readers can identify what the evidence supports.

Related Parts of Speech

Understanding parts of speech can also strengthen your grammar skills.

• According to: a prepositional expression.
• Based: the past participle of the verb base, also used adjectivally.
• Base: a verb meaning to establish or develop something on a foundation.
• Evidence: a noun referring to information that supports a claim.
• Reliable: an adjective describing something that can be trusted.

If you are studying topics such as 10 examples of adjective, remember that reliable, accurate, and official are adjectives. For example, “The report is based on reliable evidence.” Here, reliable describes the noun evidence.

These related grammar concepts help you build more accurate sentences and understand how different expressions function together.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main difference between according to and based on?

According to attributes information to a source, while based on explains the foundation of an idea, decision, or conclusion.

Example: “According to the report, prices increased.” “The forecast is based on recent prices.”

2. Can I use according to and based on interchangeably?

Not always. They have different meanings. Use according to when reporting a source’s statement and based on when explaining what supports or informs something.

3. Is it correct to say based on the report?

Yes. For example, “The decision was based on the report.” This means the report provided information used to make the decision.

4. Is it correct to begin a sentence with according to?

Yes. For example, “According to the school notice, classes will begin on Monday.” This is a common and grammatically correct sentence pattern.

5. Should I write based off of or based on?

Based on is generally the preferred choice in formal and professional writing. Based off of is used informally by some speakers, but it is often less suitable for academic work.

6. Does based on always require a form of be?

No. You can write “The film is based on a novel,” but you can also write “The film, based on a novel, won several awards.” The correct structure depends on how the phrase functions in the sentence.

7. Which expression is better for academic writing?

Both are appropriate. Use according to when attributing information to a source, and use based on when describing the evidence, data, or reasoning behind a conclusion.

8. Can according to introduce an opinion?

Yes. For example, “According to my opinion” is not the usual standard expression. Instead, write “In my opinion” when expressing your own view, or “According to the researcher” when reporting another person’s view.

12. Conclusion: According To vs. Based On

The difference between according to vs. based on becomes simple once you understand the purpose of each expression.

Use according to to report information, opinions, rules, or statements from a source. Use based on to explain the facts, evidence, experience, or ideas that support a decision, conclusion, or creation.

For example, “According to the teacher, the test was difficult” reports the teacher’s statement. “The test was based on the material covered in class” explains what the test used as its foundation.

Remember to pay attention to the surrounding words, the main verb, and the overall meaning of your sentence. Correct preposition use, suitable verb forms, and clear sentence structure will make your writing more natural and professional.

With regular practice, you can confidently use according to and based on in academic assignments, business communication, everyday conversations, and formal writing.