It’s a word we use so often, so casually, that we barely give it a second thought. "According to this sentence..." or "According to the plan..." – it’s the linguistic equivalent of a trusty old armchair, always there to support our statements and guide our understanding. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the journey of this seemingly simple word, 'according'? It’s a little linguistic gem with a surprisingly rich history and a versatile nature.
At its heart, 'according' is a word that speaks of alignment, of fitting together. Think of its roots, stretching back to Old French 'acorder' and even further to Vulgar Latin '*accordare', which literally meant 'to bring into one heart'. That image – hearts coming together – is a beautiful metaphor for agreement, for harmony, for things making sense in relation to each other.
We often encounter 'according' as part of the indispensable phrase 'according to'. This is where its power to cite and attribute truly shines. It’s our go-to for introducing information, whether it’s a piece of evidence from a text, a statement from an expert, or even just a bit of neighborhood gossip. "According to Sarah, it's an amazing concert." It’s direct, it’s clear, and it immediately tells us where the information originates. It’s the quiet signal that says, "Here’s what someone else said or what the situation dictates."
But 'according' isn't just a humble servant to 'to'. It can stand on its own, too, as an adjective meaning 'agreeing' or 'harmonious'. While less common in everyday speech now, its historical usage paints a picture of things being in sync, of a perfect match. And as a verb, 'accord' (of which 'according' is the present participle) means to grant or give, often something deserved, like "He was accorded certain favors because of his age." It’s about bestowing, about recognizing a rightful place or entitlement.
Interestingly, the word's adverbial cousin, 'accordingly', popped up around the mid-15th century, meaning 'fittingly' or 'appropriately'. This makes perfect sense, doesn't it? If things are in accord, then acting accordingly is the natural, fitting response. It’s about cause and effect, about actions that align with circumstances or principles.
So, the next time you find yourself using 'according', take a moment to appreciate its quiet strength. It’s more than just a connector; it’s a word that embodies agreement, harmony, and the fundamental human desire for things to make sense, to align, to be, well, according to something.
