How to Say “According to” with Multiple Authors
In academic writing, it is crucial to accurately cite sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. When referencing multiple authors in a sentence, the phrase “according to” can be used to indicate the source of the information. However, there are different ways to phrase this, depending on the context and the number of authors involved. This article will explore various methods to say “according to” with multiple authors.
1. Use a Comma to Separate Authors
When citing two or three authors, you can simply use a comma to separate their names. For example:
According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the study found that…
In this case, the phrase “according to” is not explicitly mentioned, but the reader can infer the source from the citation.
2. Use “and” Before the Last Author
If you have three or more authors, you can use “and” before the last author’s name to connect them. For example:
According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the study found that…
This method is similar to the previous one, but it clearly indicates that there are multiple authors involved.
3. Use “et al.” for Multiple Authors
If you have four or more authors, it is common practice to use “et al.” (meaning “and others”) to represent the remaining authors. For example:
According to Smith, Johnson, Brown, et al. (2020), the study found that…
This method is concise and efficient, especially when citing a large number of authors.
4. Use “and” Before “et al.”
When using “et al.,” you can also include “and” before it to emphasize the inclusion of multiple authors. For example:
According to Smith, Johnson, Brown, and et al. (2020), the study found that…
This method is less common but can be used for stylistic purposes.
5. Use “and others” Instead of “et al.”
In some cases, you may prefer to use “and others” instead of “et al.” This can be a more formal or explicit way of indicating multiple authors. For example:
According to Smith, Johnson, Brown, and others (2020), the study found that…
This method is suitable for academic writing where clarity and formality are important.
In conclusion, there are various ways to say “according to” with multiple authors in academic writing. The choice of phrasing depends on the number of authors, the context, and the desired level of formality. By using these methods, you can accurately cite sources and give credit to the original authors while maintaining the integrity of your work.
