In accordance with可解作「依照(计划、规例、章程等)」以及「和……一致」,例如:(1) The road was built in accordance with the plans(这条路是依照计划修筑的)。(2) What he said was not in accordance with the facts(他说的和事实不一致)。
According to也有「依照(计划、规例、章程等)」的意思,只是语气比 in accordance with随便一点;此外, according to还有两个意思,一是「据……说」,有时带「未必可信」含义;一是「按……而定」,例如:(1) The road was built according to the plans。(2) You will be paid according to your work(你的工资会按你的工作而定)。
不少英文学者认为, in accordance with这说法不大自然,通常可用 following或 under取代,例如 in accordance with your instructions、 in accordance with our agreement等,可改为 following your instructions、 under our agreement等。至於 according to,除非你想暗示所引言论未必可信。