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Can I use "as of today" in a formal letter or essay? I have googled this expression and turns out it could mean two different things.

  1. until today
  2. starting from today

So I got suspicious that this may be one of those expressions that people use in informal contexts but it is not actually correct English! Would appreciate any help :)

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  • It's standard English. You can use this idiom in both formal and informal English in the senses you have mentioned.
    – Khan
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 5:15

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There is nothing wrong with that phrase and I assure you that it isn't incorrect.Like you said, "as of today" has two meanings:

  • From the beginning up until now, including today.

    or

  • Starting today and going forward into the future.

In addition, it has another meaning, which isn't used that commonly though, as:

  • today, only.

Now, this isn't one of those phrases that are only to be used in informal contexts. Consider the following sentences:

  • As of today, most countries have abolished slavery.
  • Everybody has been seated, as of now.

These sentences are not strictly informal. So there is no issue with using it formally.

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