In Accordance With vs. In Accordance To – Which is Correct?
The correct phrase is “in accordance with,” meaning “in agreement with” or “following” a rule, instruction, or standard. “In accordance to” is generally considered incorrect in standard American English, usually resulting from confusion with “according to.” Use “in accordance with” in formal, legal, academic, and professional writing for clarity and precision.
Distinguishing the related terms is easier with a closer look at Accord vs. Accordance and their grammatical roles.
In Accordance With or In Accordance To – Which Is Correct?
In accordance with is the standard and correct phrase. It means “in agreement with,” “consistent with,” or “following” a rule, law, instruction, policy, or accepted standard.
In accordance to is generally considered incorrect in standard American English. The mistake usually occurs because writers combine the correct phrase in accordance with with the separate expression according to.
Use in accordance with when emphasizing compliance or consistency:
- The company acted in accordance with federal regulations.
- The report was prepared in accordance with the organization’s guidelines.
Use according to when identifying a source or stating where information came from:
- According to the report, sales increased.
- According to the witness, the meeting began at noon.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the compliance test: if the sentence means “following a rule, law, instruction, or standard,” choose in accordance with. The word with connects the action to the standard being followed.
For information attributed to a person, document, or source, use according to. Remember: accordance goes with with, while information is usually presented according to a source.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| in accordance with | Fixed prepositional phrase | Following or complying with something | The work was completed in accordance with the contract. |
| in accordance to | Nonstandard phrase | Usually an incorrect blend of “in accordance with” and “according to” | Replace it with “in accordance with” or “according to.” |
How to Use In Accordance With
In accordance with is a formal fixed phrase used to show that an action, decision, document, or procedure follows a particular rule, agreement, policy, law, instruction, or standard. It is especially common in legal, governmental, academic, technical, and business writing.
The phrase is normally followed by a noun or noun phrase. Common patterns include in accordance with the law, in accordance with company policy, in accordance with the agreement, and in accordance with instructions.
Example 1: The application was reviewed in accordance with the department’s published criteria.
Example 2: Employees must handle confidential information in accordance with the company’s privacy policy.
Example 3: The contractor completed the repairs in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
What Are the Different Forms of In Accordance With?
In accordance with is a fixed prepositional phrase, so it does not have verb tenses, plural forms, or comparative and superlative forms. The phrase remains unchanged regardless of the subject or tense of the sentence.
- Present: The procedure is performed in accordance with the guidelines.
- Past: The procedure was performed in accordance with the guidelines.
- Future: The procedure will be performed in accordance with the guidelines.
Etymology of the Phrase In Accordance With
Accordance comes from the verb accord, which derives from Old French and ultimately from Latin roots associated with agreement or harmony. The phrase developed from the idea of acting in agreement with a rule, person, decision, or standard. The preposition with indicates what the action agrees with or follows.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between compliance language and source-attribution language makes it easier to choose between in accordance with and according to.
- Prepositional phrases: A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and functions as part of a sentence. In accordance with the policy explains the standard that governs an action.
- Fixed phrases: A fixed phrase has a conventional wording that should not be changed casually. The standard form is in accordance with, not in accordance to.
- Compliance: Compliance means acting according to a requirement, rule, law, or instruction. The phrase in accordance with commonly expresses this relationship.
- Source attribution: Source attribution identifies where information comes from. The phrase according to is generally used for this purpose.
Examples from Media and Literature
The phrase in accordance with frequently appears in formal dialogue, narration, journalism, and nonfiction because these contexts often describe rules, procedures, or official decisions.
- News reporting: A report about a government decision might state that officials acted in accordance with federal law.
- Legal dramas: A lawyer or judge may explain that a ruling was issued in accordance with the court’s procedures.
- Business journalism: An article about an audit may report that financial statements were prepared in accordance with established accounting standards.
- Historical nonfiction: A description of military or governmental actions may explain that an order was carried out in accordance with the commander’s instructions.
- Technical writing: A manual or safety document may direct users to operate equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In Accordance With Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| according to | As stated by a source or as directed by a source; it can also refer to a rule depending on context. |
| consistent with | Not conflicting with a rule, fact, principle, or standard. |
| in compliance with | Following a legal, regulatory, or organizational requirement. |
| in conformity with | In agreement with an established standard, pattern, or expectation. |
| pursuant to | In accordance with a law, agreement, order, or formal authority; particularly common in legal writing. |
| as required by | Because a rule, authority, or requirement makes an action necessary. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “in accordance to” grammatically correct?
“In accordance to” is generally considered nonstandard in American English. Use in accordance with when you mean “following” or “in agreement with.”
Question 2: What is the difference between “in accordance with” and “according to”?
In accordance with usually describes compliance with a rule, policy, law, or standard. According to usually introduces information from a person, document, report, or other source.
Question 3: Can I use “in accordance with” in casual writing?
Yes, but it has a formal tone. In casual writing, alternatives such as following, under, or as required by may sound more natural.
Question 4: Is “in accordance with” used in British English?
Yes. In accordance with is standard in both American and British English.
Question 5: What preposition follows “in accordance”?
The standard preposition is with: in accordance with the rules. Do not replace it with to.
Conclusion
In accordance with is the correct standard phrase for expressing compliance with a rule, law, instruction, agreement, or standard. In accordance to is generally incorrect and should be replaced with either in accordance with or according to, depending on the intended meaning. Pro Tip: In professional writing, using the established phrase protects your credibility and creates a precise, polished impression.
