Comparing "anzhao" and "genju"

按照 and 根据 both are prepositions that mean “according to” or “on the basis of” and many times when used in this sense can be used interchangeably. Both are used in formal settings. A key difference between these two is 按照 is used to do something “up to standard” or “correctly” according to a certain principle, whereas 根据 is used as the basis for the way something is or they reason something is done. From a grammar point of view, 根据 is also distinguishable in the fact that it is also a noun and a verb.

	认为 (rènwéi)	以为 (yǐwéi)
Meaning	to think, to consider	to think, to consider
Part of Speech	verb	verb
Formality	flexible	flexible