によると / によれば

によると and によれば are both Japanese phrases that indicate the source of information. They are often used in reporting what someone else has said or what a document states.

For example, you might say something like "According to the news," to present information gleaned from a news report. This construction informs the listener that the information is derived from a credible source.

Both phrases can be used interchangeably, although によると is slightly more common in spoken language, while によれば may appear more in written form. It's important to note that the preceding noun often indicates the source, such as a person's name, an organization, or a document.

• Example usage: 「先生[せんせい]によると、この課題[かだい]は来週[らいしゅう]までだそうです。」 (According to the teacher, this assignment is due next week.)
• They can also imply some degree of uncertainty, suggesting that the information should not be taken as a definitive fact.