~에 근거하여

§ Using it interchangeably with ~에 따르면 (according to)

Many learners, especially at the A2 level, confuse ~에 근거하여 with ~에 따르면. While both relate to sources of information, they are not the same. ~에 따르면 is for reporting information or what someone said. ~에 근거하여 means the information is the foundation or basis for something. Think of it like this: ~에 따르면 is what you heard or read, ~에 근거하여 is what you built your argument or decision on.

• Incorrect:

  보고서에 근거하여 그는 천재라고 말했다. (He said he was a genius based on the report.) – This implies the report *was* the statement, which is usually not what you mean.

• Correct:

  보고서에 따르면 그는 천재라고 했다. (According to the report, he is a genius.)

  이 연구는 이전 데이터에 근거하여 진행되었다. (This research was conducted based on previous data.)

§ Forgetting the noun particle ~에

This might seem basic, but it's a common oversight. ~에 근거하여 inherently requires the particle ~에 before the noun it's referring to. This particle indicates the 'location' or 'basis' of the action or state. Omitting it makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

Incorrect

그의 말 근거하여 결정했다. (Decided based on his words.)

Correct

그의 말에 근거하여 결정했다. (Decided based on his words.)

Always remember the structure: Noun + ~에 + 근거하여.

§ Using it in informal contexts

~에 근거하여 is a more formal expression. While it's not overly academic, it's generally used in written reports, formal presentations, legal documents, or serious discussions. Using it in casual conversation can sound unnatural or overly stiff. For everyday conversations, simpler phrases are often preferred or the meaning can be inferred from context.

• Too formal for casual talk:

  내 생각에 근거하여, 오늘 비가 올 거야. (Based on my thoughts, it will rain today.)

• More natural for casual talk:

  내 생각으로는 오늘 비가 올 것 같아. (In my opinion, it seems like it will rain today.)

  내 생각으로는 오늘 비가 올 것 같아. (I think it's going to rain today.)