according

according
according
1. according as.
This is now well established as a subordinating conjunction meaning ‘depending on whether, to the extent to which’, despite Fowler's long warning (1926) against its use: e.g.

• Llanaba Castle presents two quite different aspects, according as you approach it from the Bangor or the coast road —Evelyn Waugh, 1928

• Glass plates of equal thickness behave quite differently, according as they contain lead or not —Laura Otis, 2002.

2. according to.
This is used as a complex preposition, and means (a) in a manner that is consistent with (something), e.g. His schemes are not going according to plan, (b) as stated by (a person or authority), e.g. According to our records, the account is in credit

• I have acted according to my conscience —Anthony Blunt, 1979

• (with an element of uncertainty or disbelief) According to them, we're supposed to stay at home, (c) in a manner or degree that is in proportion to (something), e.g. Arrange the blocks according to size and colour

• My price varied from twenty to fifty pounds according to the neighbourhood and the customer —Graham Greene, 1966.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • According — Ac*cord ing, p. a. Agreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious. This according voice of national wisdom. Burke. Mind and soul according well. Tennyson. [1913 Webster] According to him, every person was to be bought. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] Our …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • According as — According Ac*cord ing, p. a. Agreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious. This according voice of national wisdom. Burke. Mind and soul according well. Tennyson. [1913 Webster] According to him, every person was to be bought. Macaulay. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • according to — W1S2 prep 1.) as shown by something or stated by someone ▪ According to the police, his attackers beat him with a blunt instrument. ▪ There is now widespread support for these proposals, according to a recent public opinion poll. 2.) in a way… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • according to — UK US preposition ► used for saying which person, group, piece of information, etc. provides a particular fact: »According to a company spokesman, the firm is expected to have sales of more than $3.5 billion this year. according to… …   Financial and business terms

  • according — ► ADVERB 1) (according to) as stated by or in. 2) (according to) corresponding or in proportion to. 3) (according as) depending on whether …   English terms dictionary

  • according — [ə kôr′diŋ] adj. agreeing; in harmony according as 1. to the degree that; in proportion as 2. depending on whether; if according to 1. in agreement with 2. in the order of [arranged according to size] …   English World dictionary

  • according — c.1300, matching, similar, correponding, prp. adjective and adverb from ACCORD (Cf. accord) (v.). Meanings conforming (to), compliant, in agreement; consistent, harmonious; suitable, appropriate are from late 14c. According to referring to, lit.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • According — Ac*cord ing, adv. Accordingly; correspondingly. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • according to — index pursuant to Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • according to — ♦ 1) PHR PREP If someone says that something is true according to a particular person, book, or other source of information, they are indicating where they got their information. Philip stayed at the hotel, according to Mr Hemming... He and his… …   English dictionary

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