as of (x date)

English translation: see explanation

15:16 Jun 4, 2019
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Law/Patents - Telecom(munications) / US ENGLISH
English term or phrase: as of (x date)
Specific question:

Does the English expression \"As of\" invariably mean starting on a specific date?

CONTEXT

I come across this expression in legal disclaimers all the time, for different industries.

For example:

“Average Retail Values for XXX food prizes are based on average menu prices as of June 2nd, 2019.”
They can claim to know that what the prices were ON THAT SPECIFIC DATE, but they cannot possibly know what the prices will be on any future date.

OR

*Speed claim based on average download speeds as of June 2nd, 2019.

They are making a claim about the results of field tests that were conducted ON THAT SPECIFIC DATE. The speeds may be different on any other date, so “as of” cannot possibly mean “starting on.”

I cannot find any references to back this up, but it is an ongoing debate I have with my fellow translators and proofreaders.
George Rabel
Local time: 11:54
Selected answer:see explanation
Explanation:
"as of" and "as at" mean on that date and not starting on that date.

A dictionary of Modern Legal Usage p. 79

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Note added at 1 hr (2019-06-04 17:09:23 GMT)
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The entry in A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage reads as follows:

at at (= as of) is characteristic chiefly of BrE and of financial contexts in AmE, e.g. "This book reflects the law AS AT August 1986." Stanley Berwin, The Economist Pocket Lawyer (1986). / "The common law took the coldly logical view that bastardy was judged AS AT the date of birth and was indelible... " J.H. Baker, An Introduction to English Legal History 558 (3rd ed. 1990).
Selected response from:

Mark Robertson
Local time: 15:54
Grading comment
Many thanks to all.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3on
philgoddard
3 +4As of (starting) // As at (specific)
Andy Watkinson
5 +1see explanation
Mark Robertson
Summary of reference entries provided
Not an official source
Helena Chavarria

Discussion entries: 11





  

Answers


20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
on


Explanation:
They're confusing "as at", which means "on", with "as of/from", which means "starting on".

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/as-at
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/as-of-...

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andy Watkinson
24 mins

neutral  Mark Robertson: "as from" and "as of" are only synonymous when as of means from this moment, not when it means, at the present time.
37 mins
  -> I think they are, and so does the Cambridge Dictionary :-)

agree  Helena Chavarria
1 hr

agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
1 hr
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25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
As of (starting) // As at (specific)


Explanation:
Hi.

The usage I'm familiar with suggests that "as of" is the starting point.
"They began to use this system as of 3rd June" (and have been using it since that date)

"As at" would be on that specific date.
e.g. in accounting:

"Provisions for impairment totalled €2,289.32 as at 3rd June" - that's what they totalled on that specific date - now it's anybody's guess.



Andy Watkinson
Spain
Local time: 16:54
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helena Chavarria: I like your explanation: simple and to the point!
4 mins
  -> Thanks, Helena - some usage gets a bit fuzzy after 40 years.

agree  Raffaella Benelli: Agree, it means “starting from + date”
17 mins
  -> Thanks Raffaella - that's how I've always understood it.

agree  Yvonne Gallagher
2 hrs

agree  Oliver Simões
1 day 6 hrs
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
see explanation


Explanation:
"as of" and "as at" mean on that date and not starting on that date.

A dictionary of Modern Legal Usage p. 79

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2019-06-04 17:09:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The entry in A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage reads as follows:

at at (= as of) is characteristic chiefly of BrE and of financial contexts in AmE, e.g. "This book reflects the law AS AT August 1986." Stanley Berwin, The Economist Pocket Lawyer (1986). / "The common law took the coldly logical view that bastardy was judged AS AT the date of birth and was indelible... " J.H. Baker, An Introduction to English Legal History 558 (3rd ed. 1990).

Mark Robertson
Local time: 15:54
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Many thanks to all.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Björn Vrooman: You are the only one not insisting on "starting on/at." This is simply a UK/US English issue. I should add the Longman link about "as of" (not "as at"), which confirms what I've said (so does M-W): https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/as-of
18 hrs
  -> La Perfide Albion
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Reference comments


22 mins peer agreement (net): +2
Reference: Not an official source

Reference information:
but interesting all the same!

“As of” is a little phrase but I have a lot to say about it. Although it is very common in business writing it can create ambiguity if used incorrectly.

Ambiguity is caused by the fact that “as of” has three different meanings: on, since or from, depending on the context.

Have a look at these sentences:

The contract enters into force as of 1 January 2013. = on

The contract has been effective as of 1 August 2011. = since

The contract is effective as of 1 January 2013. = from

As you see, the meaning of “as of” is determined by the grammar and wording of the sentence in which it is used. So when you use “as of” it is essential that this grammar and wording is correct for the reader to understand what you mean.

https://blog.harwardcommunications.com/2012/04/02/as-of/

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Note added at 28 mins (2019-06-04 15:44:36 GMT)
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Incidentally, I only use 'as of' when I'm translating and I want to say on (including) the date mentioned in the text and thereafter.

as of 10 June = on 10 June and the days that follow (11, 12, 13...)

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Note added at 2 hrs (2019-06-04 17:43:49 GMT)
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Effective Date These Terms of Use are effective as of August 1, 2015.

https://womanwithin.org.uk/terms-of-use/

Phlebotomy
The Trust provides a Monday – Friday 8.00 – 11.30 phlebotomy service at Kettering Borough Council, this has been effective as of January 2011. This is an additional service to enhance the phlebotomy service provided within the pathology department.

From a downloaded document

Helena Chavarria
Spain
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
neutral  Mark Robertson: Examples 2 and 3 in the text you quote seem only to work in EN-US.
1 hr
  -> I thought I had made it clear that it wasn't an official reference. I found it amusing, that's all. I'm a British native but I would understand examples 2 and 3. Thank you for your opinion, Mark :-)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: I never use it in UK English, but in US English I take it to mean as your last line: ON and following...too
2 hrs
  -> Thank you, Yvonne :-)
agree  Björn Vrooman: While your post may not represent a worldwide view on the subject, it is helpful, in my opinion. The Harward link is backed up by M-W (see "How to tell"): http://learnersdictionary.com/qa/as-of-today
18 hrs
  -> Thank you, Björn :-)
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