B1
通过, 根据 and 按照 — through, according to, in line with
Three Chinese prepositions English collapses into “by” and “according to” — how each one differs and where the phrase sits in the sentence.
All three open a phrase that sits before the main clause, in the position Chinese reserves for circumstances. What separates them is what kind of thing follows.
通过 — by way of, through
A method, a channel, an experience. The means by which something was achieved.
通过这次经历，我学到了很多。
Tōngguò zhè cì jīnglì, wǒ xuédàole hěn duō.
I learned a lot through that experience.
我们通过邮件联系。
Wǒmen tōngguò yóujiàn liánxì.
We keep in touch by email.
通过 is also an ordinary verb meaning to pass — 通过考试, pass an exam; 火车通过了 隧道, the train went through the tunnel. Same character, and the preposition grew out of the verb.
根据 — on the basis of
A source of information: a report, a forecast, a study, what someone said.
根据天气预报，明天会下雨。
Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān huì xià yǔ.
According to the forecast, it’ll rain tomorrow.
根据我的经验，这样不行。
Gēnjù wǒ de jīngyàn, zhèyàng bù xíng.
In my experience, that won’t work.
按照 — in accordance with
A rule, a plan, an instruction — something you follow. The difference from 根据 is obligation: 根据 informs, 按照 governs.
请按照说明书操作。
Qǐng ànzhào shuōmíngshū cāozuò.
Please follow the instructions.
我们按照原来的计划做。
Wǒmen ànzhào yuánlái de jìhuà zuò.
We’ll go by the original plan.
按照天气预报，明天会下雨。
根据天气预报，明天会下雨。
按照 says you are complying with something. A forecast is not an instruction — you cannot obey the weather. It is a source of information, which is 根据.
The short version
- 通过 — this is how it happened
- 根据 — this is where the information comes from
- 按照 — this is what we are following
按 alone is a shorter, more colloquial 按照, and 依照 a stiffer one you will meet in official writing.