ifølge

Ifølge is a preposition used in Danish and Norwegian to mean "according to." It is employed to attribute information or statements to a source, such as a person, organization, document, or study. The expression functions to shift responsibility for the assertion to the cited source rather than presenting it as the speaker’s own claim.

In use, following the preposition is typically a noun phrase or proper noun identifying the source. For example: "Ifølge Danmarks Statistik er arbejdsløsheden faldet," meaning "According to Statistics Denmark, unemployment has fallen." Another example is: "Ifølge rapporten vil projektet koste mere end forventet" meaning "According to the report, the project will cost more than expected." The structure is common in journalism, reports, and academic writing, and it can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a clause.

Notes on usage: Ifølge is chiefly used to attribute specific information to a named source. It is not a general claim; the value of the statement rests on the credibility of the source cited. In translation, it is typically rendered as "according to" in English, and it helps foreground attribution without endorsing the view.

Origin and relation: Ifølge is a preposition that is widespread in North Germanic languages, including Danish and Norwegian Bokmål, where it serves a similar function. It is distinct from conjunctions and from phrases that introduce direct quotation. It is primarily a tool for sourcing and citation in formal and semi-formal prose.

See also: According to, Source attribution, Danish language, Norwegian language.