According to the findings

You’ll mostly find this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence. It sets the stage for the big reveal. You can also tuck it into the middle of a sentence if you want to sound a bit more sophisticated, like: "The project, according to the findings, is ahead of schedule." But generally, keep it at the start. It usually followed by a comma, and then the actual result. It is almost always followed by a noun phrase that identifies the source, like the study, the report, the investigation, or the census. It’s a very "serious" phrase, so don't use it to describe why your cat is grumpy (unless you actually conducted a two-week scientific observation of his napping patterns).

This is definitely a suit-and-tie kind of phrase. It lives in the world of formal and very formal English. You will hear it on the evening news, read it in academic journals, or see it in a corporate PDF that everyone pretends to read. On the formality scale, it’s a solid 9/10. It’s not something you’d usually text your best friend unless you’re being sarcastic. If you say, "According to the findings, we are out of pizza," your friend might think you’ve spent too much time in the library. However, in professional settings—like a Zoom call with your boss or a university presentation—it is absolute gold. It makes you sound organized, prepared, and intellectual. It’s the linguistic equivalent of wearing a crisp white lab coat.

Imagine a tech reviewer on YouTube. They’ve tested five different smartphones for a week. They don't just say, "The battery is okay." Instead, they say, "According to the findings of our battery drain test, the Pro model lasts 20% longer." That sounds much more impressive, right? Or think about a fitness influencer on TikTok explaining a new workout trend. They might say, "According to the findings of recent sports science research, short bursts of activity are more effective than long cardio sessions." In the workplace, your project manager might say, "According to the findings of the quarterly audit, we need to improve our data security." It’s everywhere where data meets communication. Even in gaming, a developer might announce, "According to the findings from our beta test, we are nerfing the fire mage." (Sorry, mages!)

Use this when you want to cite a source without sounding like a robot. It’s perfect for the introduction of a presentation where you need to establish credibility immediately. Use it when you are summarizing a long document for someone who doesn't have time to read it. It’s also great for journalism or blog writing when you want to back up a claim with a specific study. If you’re writing an essay for an English exam (like IELTS or TOEFL), this phrase is a high-level transition that examiners love. It shows you can handle complex sentence structures and academic vocabulary. It’s also useful in legal contexts or during investigations where facts are the only thing that matters.

Avoid this phrase for personal feelings or subjective opinions. You can't say, "According to the findings, I think this movie is boring." Findings are about facts, not feelings! Also, don't use it if you don't actually have any findings to refer to. If you use it and someone asks, "Which findings?" and you say, "Oh, just something I saw on a meme," you will lose all that fancy credibility you just built up. It’s also too heavy for casual social interactions. Using it while ordering a burger ("According to the findings of my stomach, I am hungry") is a great way to get a weird look from the waiter—though it might be a fun way to test if they’re paying attention!

A very common slip-up is saying "According to my findings" when you really just mean "In my opinion." Another one is using the singular "finding" when you are summarizing a whole report. Usually, a report has multiple findings, so keep it plural! Some learners also say "According to the finds," which sounds like you’re talking about buried treasure. Another big no-no is using "according to" with yourself. ✗ "According to me, the earth is round" → ✓ "In my opinion..." or just "The earth is round." You use according to for external sources.

If you want to spice things up, you can use Based on the results or As indicated by the data. These are very similar but have slightly different vibes. Based on the results is great for experiments. In light of the evidence is a bit more dramatic—perfect for a courtroom or a serious business crisis. If you want something a bit shorter, you can use Research suggests or Reports indicate. If you’re in a slightly less formal setting, you might just say The data shows. But According to the findings remains the heavyweight champion of formal reporting. It has that specific rhythm that makes people stop and listen.

Is this only for science? Not at all! It’s used in business, law, social studies, and even sports analytics. Does "findings" always mean numbers? No, findings can be qualitative, like "users felt confused" or "the suspect was seen near the park." Can I use it in an email? Yes, it’s perfect for professional emails where you are attaching a report or summarizing a meeting. Is it okay to use it in a conversation? Only if the conversation is professional or academic; otherwise, you might sound like a walking textbook. What’s the difference between a finding and a result? A result is what happened (e.g., the plant grew 5cm), while a finding is the interpretation of that result (e.g., the fertilizer is effective).