Introduction
Learning Spanish prepositions is essential for any language learner, and según is one of the most useful prepositions to master. This versatile word means “according to” in English and appears frequently in everyday Spanish conversations, news articles, and written communication. Understanding how to use según correctly will help you express opinions, cite sources, and convey information more naturally. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the rules, usage patterns, and practical examples of según to help you incorporate this important preposition into your Spanish vocabulary with confidence and accuracy.
What Does Según Mean?
Según is a preposition that translates to “according to” or “in accordance with” in English. It’s used to attribute information, opinions, or perspectives to a specific source. When you use según, you’re essentially saying that the information you’re providing comes from a particular person, organization, document, or source. This preposition is fundamental in academic writing, journalism, and casual conversation where you need to cite or reference where your information comes from.
The word según can also mean “depending on” or “as” in certain contexts, making it a multifunctional preposition that Spanish speakers rely on regularly. Whether you’re reporting what someone said, referencing a source, or expressing a conditional idea, según is the go-to preposition to use.
Basic Rules for Using Según
Rule 1: Según with Nouns and Proper Nouns
The most common use of según is when it precedes a noun or proper noun to indicate the source of information. In this construction, según functions as a straightforward preposition followed by a noun phrase. The structure remains simple: según plus the noun creates a prepositional phrase that introduces or attributes information.
Example sentences:
Según el periódico, la economía está mejorando.
(According to the newspaper, the economy is improving.)
Según María, la película fue excelente.
(According to María, the movie was excellent.)
Según las estadísticas, el 80% de los estudiantes aprobaron el examen.
(According to the statistics, 80% of students passed the exam.)
Rule 2: Según with Pronouns
Según can also be followed by pronouns, though this usage is slightly less common than with nouns. When using según with pronouns, you must use the stressed pronoun forms (also called tonic pronouns) rather than the subject pronouns. These stressed forms include mí, ti, él, ella, usted, nosotros, nosotras, vosotros, vosotras, ellos, ellas, and ustedes.
Example sentences:
Según yo, deberíamos cambiar de plan.
(According to me, we should change our plan.)
Según él, todo está bien.
(According to him, everything is fine.)
Según nosotros, la decisión fue incorrecta.
(According to us, the decision was incorrect.)
Rule 3: Según with Infinitives and Clauses
An important and often overlooked rule is that según can be used with infinitives and subordinate clauses to express a conditional or dependent meaning. In these cases, según takes on the meaning of “as,” “depending on,” or “in the way that.” When según is used with an infinitive or clause, the construction becomes more complex and conveys a different semantic relationship.
Example sentences:
Según vayas aprendiendo, entenderás mejor el idioma.
(As you go learning, you’ll understand the language better.)
Según lo que dijeron, la reunión será mañana.
(According to what they said, the meeting will be tomorrow.)
La tarea cambiará según avances en el curso.
(The task will change as you progress in the course.)
Positioning Según in a Sentence
At the Beginning of a Sentence
Placing según at the start of a sentence is the most common and natural position. This placement emphasizes the source of the information right from the beginning, setting up the context for what follows. When según appears at the sentence’s beginning, it’s typically followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause.
Example sentences:
Según el reportaje de investigación, la compañía violó varias regulaciones.
(According to the investigative report, the company violated several regulations.)
Según mi experiencia, este método funciona muy bien.
(According to my experience, this method works very well.)
In the Middle of a Sentence
Según can also appear in the middle of a sentence, placed after the main clause. This position is less emphatic but still perfectly correct and frequently used in Spanish. When según appears mid-sentence, it provides additional attribution without interrupting the main narrative flow.
Example sentences:
El acto será el próximo viernes, según la directora.
(The event will be next Friday, according to the director.)
Esos números son incorrectos, según los cálculos finales.
(Those numbers are incorrect, according to the final calculations.)
At the End of a Sentence
Though less common, según can appear at the end of a sentence, serving as a final attribution. This position works well when the source is less important to the overall emphasis of the sentence, though most Spanish speakers prefer placing según earlier.
Example sentences:
Nos visitarán pronto, según ellos.
(They’ll visit us soon, according to them.)
El proyecto está completo, según los ingenieros.
(The project is complete, according to the engineers.)
Common Uses and Expressions with Según
Según el Diccionario and Similar Academic References
A common phrase in Spanish is según el diccionario (according to the dictionary), used when defining words or explaining meanings. This phrase is especially useful in academic and educational contexts. Similarly, you’ll encounter según la ley (according to the law), según la definición (according to the definition), and other similar expressions.
Example sentences:
Según el diccionario, un sinónimo es una palabra con significado parecido.
(According to the dictionary, a synonym is a word with a similar meaning.)
Según la ley, los menores no pueden trabajar más de ocho horas diarias.
(According to the law, minors cannot work more than eight hours daily.)
Según with Comparative and Dependent Meanings
When según is used with verbs in subjunctive mood or with conditional structures, it expresses a dependent relationship between two actions or ideas. This usage requires more advanced grammar knowledge but is essential for expressing complex relationships.
Example sentences:
Según lo que hagas, así te irá en la vida.
(Depending on what you do, that’s how things will go in your life.)
Las vacaciones serán en junio o julio, según el calendario.
(The vacation will be in June or July, depending on the calendar.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using Subject Pronouns Instead of Stressed Pronouns
A frequent mistake Spanish learners make is using subject pronouns after según. Remember that según requires stressed pronouns, not subject pronouns. Saying “según yo soy” is incorrect; the correct form is “según yo.”
Incorrect: Según yo soy inteligente.
Correct: Según yo, soy inteligente.
(According to me, I am intelligent.)
Confusing Según with Conforme
Spanish learners sometimes confuse según with conforme, another preposition meaning “in accordance with.” While they can be used similarly in many contexts, conforme is often used to indicate conformity or agreement with rules or standards, whereas según is more neutral in simply citing a source.
Example with según:
Según las instrucciones, debes girar a la derecha.
(According to the instructions, you should turn right.)
Example with conforme:
Conforme a la ley, todos tienen derecho a la educación.
(In accordance with the law, everyone has the right to education.)
Forgetting Punctuation with Según
When según appears at the beginning of a sentence, it must be followed by a comma. This is not optional in formal Spanish writing. Failing to include this comma is a common punctuation error that affects readability and correctness.
Incorrect: Según el profesor la tarea es para mañana.
Correct: Según el profesor, la tarea es para mañana.
(According to the professor, the homework is for tomorrow.)
Según in Different Contexts
Journalistic and Academic Writing
Según is essential in journalism and academic writing for citing sources and attributing information. In these formal contexts, según appears frequently and is crucial for maintaining credibility and clarity about information sources.
Example sentences:
Según el estudio publicado en la revista científica, los resultados fueron positivos.
(According to the study published in the scientific journal, the results were positive.)
Según los analistas de mercado, las acciones subirán el próximo trimestre.
(According to market analysts, stocks will rise next quarter.)
Casual Conversation
In everyday Spanish conversations, según helps people share information while crediting their sources naturally. Friends use this preposition constantly when discussing news, opinions, or information they’ve heard from others.
Example sentences:
Según mi hermana, el restaurante nuevo es muy bueno.
(According to my sister, the new restaurant is very good.)
Según lo que vi en las redes sociales, habrá un concierto este fin de semana.
(According to what I saw on social media, there will be a concert this weekend.)
Conclusion
Mastering según is a vital step in your Spanish learning journey. This versatile preposition allows you to cite sources, attribute information, and express conditional relationships clearly and naturally. Remember the key rules: use según with nouns and stressed pronouns, pay attention to sentence placement, include proper punctuation, and avoid common mistakes like using subject pronouns. Whether you’re writing academically, speaking casually, or reading Spanish news, you’ll encounter según regularly. With consistent practice and attention to the examples provided in this guide, you’ll soon use this preposition with confidence and accuracy, significantly improving your Spanish communication skills.
