ACCORDING TO

Question 1

Following a noun, possibly the most common way of expressing ‘according to’ when it is not a person involved

• According to ancient sources a slave cost 306 grammes of silver.

Answer 1

ZUFOLGE + DATIVE

• Alten Quellen zufolge kostete ein Sklave 306 Gramm Silber.

Question 2

Interchangeable with “zufolge”

• According to reports over 100 people died in the accident.

Answer 2

LAUT + DATIVE

• Laut Berichten sind über 100 Menschen im Unglück umgekommen.

Question 3

When a person follows ‘according to’ and the expression is synonymous with ‘in my/your/her opinion’ etc.

• In her opinion he is guilty.

Answer 3

MEINER/IHRER/DEINER MEINUNG NACH

• Ihrer Meinung nach ist er schuldig.

Question 4

If the holder of the opinion is a noun, rather than a possessive pronoun as in the previous example, the expression is as follows:

• According to my aunt…

Answer 4

MEINE TANTE IST DER MEINUNG, DASS…

Question 5

According to’ in legal parlance (compare in accordance with), commonly used in combination with… with reference to the opinion of people:

• According to article 256 (in a law)
• According to the witness.
• According to police the terrorist group has so far extorted 5.5 million dollars ransom.

Answer 5

NACH (ANGABEN)

• Nach Artikel 256
• Nach Angaben des Zeugen
• Die Terrorgruppe hat nach Polizeiangaben bisher 5,5 Millionen Dollar Lösegeld erpresst.

Question 6

In journalese, often follows reported speech where in English we would say either ‘according to x’ or ‘x said

• Apparently, according to a UN spokesman (=a UN spokesman said), paramilitaries had planned an attack on the research workers

Answer 6

SO

• Angeblich, so ein Sprecher der UN, hätten Paramilitärs einen Anschlag auf die Forscher geplant.