によると・
によると and によれば name the person, document, survey, forecast, or other source on which the following information is based. Both mean “according to,” with the second tending to sound more formal and written.
Name the source first
Attach the expression directly to the noun that identifies the source, then state the information obtained from that source. The whole source phrase usually comes near the beginning of the sentence.
天気予報によると、明日は午後から雪が降るそうです。
According to the weather forecast, it is going to snow from tomorrow afternoon.
Analyze天気予報 is the source, while the ending marks the forecast itself as reported information.
Complete the report
によると and によれば only frame the source; they do not finish the report. What the source says must follow. Hearsay endings and reporting verbs are especially useful when you need to make clear that the information is not your direct observation. In factual reporting, a clearly attributed survey result or official announcement can also be stated directly after the source phrase.
Different ways to finish
The ending depends on how the information is being presented.
山田さんによると、店長は「来週から営業時間を延ばす」と言っていたそうです。
According to Yamada, the manager said that the opening hours would be extended from next week.
AnalyzeHere the sentence contains an explicit reporting verb.
最近の調査によると、回答者の六割が週に一度以上オンラインで買い物をしています。
According to a recent survey, sixty percent of respondents shop online at least once a week.
AnalyzeBecause this is presented directly as a survey result, a separate hearsay ending is not necessary.
研究所の報告書によれば、この地域の平均気温は過去五十年で約二度上昇したということです。
According to the institute's report, the average temperature in this region has risen by about two degrees over the past fifty years.
Analyzeによれば suits this formal written source.
Source phrase and hearsay ending
によると identifies where the information came from. Hearsay そうだ marks the following statement itself as something reported rather than directly known. They often appear together because they do different jobs.
More examples
医師によると、この薬は食後に飲むのがよいそうです。
According to the doctor, it is best to take this medicine after meals.
Analyze市の発表によれば、新しい橋は十月に開通する予定です。
According to the city's announcement, the new bridge is scheduled to open in October.
Analyze兄によると、あの店は平日のほうが空いているらしい。
According to my brother, that shop is apparently less crowded on weekdays.
Analyze記事によると、監督は試合後に辞任すると述べました。
According to the article, the coach stated that he would resign after the match.
Analyze交通情報によると、高速道路では十キロの渋滞が発生しているそうです。
According to the traffic information, there is a ten-kilometer traffic jam on the expressway.
Analyze会社の資料によれば、海外売上は前年より十五パーセント増えたということです。
According to company materials, overseas sales increased by fifteen percent from the previous year.
Analyze