Hi there! Both phrases are natural, but they have different meanings: - "According to the book" means based on what the book says. - Example: According to the book, pandas eat mostly bamboo. - "By the book" means following the rules or instructions strictly. - Example: The police officer did everything by the book. So, if you’re referring to information from a book, use "according to the book." If you mean following rules or procedures exactly, use "by the book." Tip: When choosing between similar phrases, think about their meaning in context. "According to" is used for reporting information, while "by the book" refers to following rules strictly. Understanding these subtle differences will make your English sound more natural! Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions.

Yes, "according to the book" and "by the book" are both natural, but they have different meanings: * "According to the book" → Refers to information found in a book. * Example: According to the book, this plant needs a lot of sunlight. * (Meaning: The book states this fact.) * "By the book" → Means following rules or instructions exactly. * Example: She does everything by the book. * (Meaning: She follows rules strictly.) So, you can’t always swap them! It depends on what you're trying to say.

Hello! 'By the book' means to not deviate from the correct / accepted way of doing something... e.g. "It must be done by the book!" (You must follow the correct procedure) The policeman arrested him by the book .... ie, he followed the correct legal procedure. The chef made the meal by the book ... ie he followed the exact, time-honoured recipe. 'According to the book' would either refer to 'a' particular book in question, ie, a book about how to keep fit: according to the book, you should stretch for at least 10 minutes before your begin exercising Or 'the' book, which many may consider to be The Bible: According to The Book; one must not kill .... etc. Hope this helps :)

They're both okay and can be natural but whether they're natural depends on the context. Can you provide the surrounding sentences?

"By the book" is the standard and far more common idiom. "By the book" → Correct and natural. Example: The lawyer handled the case by the book to avoid any mistakes. "According to the book" → Sounds unnatural unless you’re referring to something written in a book. Example: According to the book, Napoleon lost at Waterloo in 1815. If you’re talking about following rules, "by the book" is the right choice.