1. 主要用来表示“根据”某学说、某书刊、某文件、某人所说等或表示“按照”某法律、某规定、某惯例、某情况等：

According to the timetable, the train gets in at 8: 27. 根据时刻表，火车8:27进站。

According to the weather forecast, we shall have rain tomorrow. 根据天气预报，明天会下雨。

According to John there will be a meeting next week. 据约翰说，下星期有个会议。

Each man will be paid according to his ability. 每个人将根据他的能力获得报酬。

2. 表示“根据”、“按照”时，主要用来引出状语，一般不用来引出表语：

这本书是根据一个真实故事写的。

正：The book is based on a true story.

误：The book is according to a true story.

当它表示“合乎”、“符合”时，可用来引出表语(from www.yygrammar.com)：

It is not according to his nature to give praise. 他本性不喜欢颂扬。

3. 其后一般不接 view (看法) 和 opinion (意见) 这类词，也不接表示第一人称的代词 (me, us)：

正：In my opinion, the film is wonderful. 依我看，这部电 影很不错。

误：According to my opinion, the film is wonderful.

误：According to me, the film is wonderful.