Confused about using 'according to', 'based on', and 'in terms of' in reports
I'm writing a report for my business English class, and I keep getting confused about when to use 'according to', 'based on', and 'in terms of'. For example, should I say "According to the data, sales increased," or is it better to use "Based on the data, sales increased"? Also, sometimes my teacher suggests using 'in terms of', like "In terms of sales, the company grew this year."
Can someone explain the differences between these phrases, and when it's best to use each one? Some examples with the sentences I mentioned would really help!
Context:
Business English, academic writing
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| This idiom is figurative, so its meaning is not the literal words. | Use this when reporting information or opinions from a specific source (data, person, report). | In terms of customer retention, the company outperformed its competitors. | Does this idiom fit my exact meaning and situation? |
| Avoid this idiom when the context is literal or the meaning could confuse readers. | This keeps the idiom natural and avoids overly literal wording. | In literal situations, use direct wording instead of the idiom. | Would this idiom sound natural to a native speaker in this exact context? |
3 Answers
To master these phrases, focus on their typical usage patterns:
1. According to [source]:
- Use this when reporting information or opinions from a specific source (data, person, report).
- Example: "According to the recent survey, customer satisfaction increased by 10%."
2. Based on [evidence]:
- Use this when drawing a conclusion or making a statement by interpreting data or evidence.
- Example: "Based on our analysis, we expect profits to rise next quarter."
3. In terms of [aspect]:
- Use this to specify which aspect or area you’re discussing.
- Example: "In terms of customer retention, the company outperformed its competitors."
Practice:
- Take a paragraph from your report and label which phrase fits best for each statement.
- Self-check: If you are directly referencing a source, use "according to." If you are summarizing your own conclusion from data, use "based on." If highlighting a particular aspect, use "in terms of."
Corrective feedback: If you wrote: "Based on the survey, employees are satisfied," check—are you summarizing your own conclusion from survey data, or directly reporting the survey's statement? If just reporting, use: "According to the survey, employees are satisfied."
Let's compare how these phrases shape the meaning of your sentences:
- According to X means you are relaying information from an authority or source, not adding your interpretation.
- E.g.: "According to Q1 financial reports, revenue exceeded expectations."
- Based on X means you have analyzed or interpreted information, and you're presenting your resulting conclusion.
- E.g.: "Based on the market data, we project continued growth next year."
- In terms of X allows you to focus specifically on one area or perspective in your analysis.
- E.g.: "In terms of marketing budget, this year saw a significant reduction."
Practice:
Try rewriting: "The company increased profits" by highlighting a source, your analysis, and a specific aspect. Then check: Are you just reporting ("according to")? Interpreting data ("based on")? Focusing on one area ("in terms of")?
Feedback tip: If your sentence introduces a viewpoint without a clear source, avoid "according to." If you change the aspect, "in terms of" is useful: "In terms of employee satisfaction..."
Understanding context helps you choose the right expression:
- According to is for quoting or referencing information exactly as given by a source: "According to last year's annual report, expenses decreased."
- Based on is for expressing your reasoning or deduction from data: "Based on recent trends, we anticipate higher customer engagement."
- In terms of helps you categorize or clarify which aspect you’re discussing: "In terms of online sales, performance improved markedly."
Short Practice:
Write three sentences about your company—one that reports data (use "according to"), one that analyzes (use "based on"), and one that focuses on a specific area (use "in terms of").
Self-check:
Ask which is happening: Am I quoting, analyzing, or categorizing? Adjust the phrase as needed. For example, change "Based on our survey, 50% responded yes" (if you mean you believe this because of the survey) to "According to our survey, 50% responded yes," if you're simply reporting the result.
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