According to: -에 따르면

This grammar pattern is a connector. It attaches to a noun. That noun is your source of information. But there is a catch! You can't just say 뉴스에 따르면 비가 와요. That sounds a bit stiff and unnatural. Usually, you need a partner. This pattern almost always pairs with indirect speech. You need endings like -ㄴ/는다고 하다 or -ㄴ/다고 하다. This is because you are reporting what someone else said. You aren't the original speaker. You are the messenger. If you forget the indirect speech ending, the sentence feels incomplete. It’s like eating fries without salt. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! But at the B2 level, you want that extra polish. It shows you understand how Korean citations work.

1. 1Pick your source noun. (Example: 뉴스, 연구, 친구)
2. 2Add -에 따르면 directly to the noun. No space is needed between the noun and the particle.
3. 3Follow it with the information you want to share.
4. 4Close the sentence with an indirect speech ending. Use -ㄴ/는다고 합니다 (formal) or -ㄴ/는대요 (polite/informal).
5. 5뉴스 + -에 따르면 -> 뉴스에 따르면...
6. 6기사 + -에 따르면 -> 기사에 따르면...
7. 7전문가 + -에 따르면 -> 전문가에 따르면...

Use this when the source matters. Are you in a job interview? Use it to cite company data. "According to the latest report, your company is growing." This shows you did your homework. Are you ordering food with friends? "According to the reviews, the spicy chicken is the best." It helps you give advice without taking all the blame if the food is bad! It’s also great for discussing weather or news. Use it when you want to distance yourself from the claim. You aren't saying it's 100% true. You are saying *the source* says it's true. It's a great way to avoid being wrong during an argument. Think of it like a grammar shield.

Don't use this for your own feelings. You can't say 제 생각에 따르면. That means "According to my own thoughts." It sounds redundant and a bit weird. Just say 제 생각에는 instead. Also, avoid it for things you saw with your own eyes right now. If it’s raining outside your window, don't say 뉴스에 따르면. Just say it's raining! Don't use it for very casual, personal gossip either. 민수에 따르면... is okay, but -가 그러는데 is more natural for friends. Think of -에 따르면 as slightly more "dressed up." It’s like wearing a blazer to a nice dinner. You wouldn't wear it to bed.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the indirect speech ending. Many students end with a simple verb. 뉴스에 따르면 비가 와요 (✗). It should be 뉴스에 따르면 비가 온다고 해요 (✓). Another mistake is using the wrong particle. Don't confuse it with -에 의해서. That one means "by" or "due to." It focuses on the cause, not the source of information. Also, watch out for the noun choice. You can't attach it to a verb. You must turn the verb into a noun first if needed. But usually, you just use a standard noun. Lastly, don't use it for things that are common knowledge. It makes you sound like a robot. "According to common sense, fire is hot." Nobody talks like that!

You might see -에 의하면. This is almost identical to -에 따르면. Honestly, you can swap them 90% of the time. However, -에 의하면 feels a tiny bit more formal. You will see it in law books or very academic papers. For daily life and news, -에 따르면 is the king. Then there is -에 말에 따르면. This is specifically for what a *person* said. It’s like saying "According to what [Person] said." It adds an extra layer of focus on the speaker. If you want to be quick, stick with -에 따르면. It works for both people and things like books or reports. Think of -에 따르면 as the "standard setting."