Enligt

Enligt is a Swedish preposition meaning “according to” or “in accordance with.” It is used to attribute information, statements, rules, or assessments to a source, authority, or guideline. The word is common in journalism, law, and formal writing, where precise sourcing is important.

Grammatical use and structure: enligt is followed by a noun phrase, typically in definite form or in plural without determiner, to indicate the source of the information. Examples include enligt lagen (according to the law), enligt polisen (according to the police), and enligt uppgifterna (according to the information). It can also introduce a source via a clause such as enligt vad som sagts eller enligt vad som framgår.

Common expressions and nuances: enligt is largely synonymous with i enlighet med, which is a more formal alternative meaning “in accordance with.” While both convey conformity to rules or statements, enligt is more frequently used for citing sources, whereas i enlighet med is often found in legal or official contexts.

Examples:

- Enligt polisen har inga personer skadats.

- Enligt lagen får du inte parkera här.

- Enligt uppgifter från företaget planeras nya investeringar.

- Enligt vad som sagts av vittnen var händelsen plötslig.

Notes: Because it introduces sources, enligt is a tool for attribution and accountability in Swedish writing. It is versatile across styles but remains a staple in neutral reporting and formal prose.