Population Is, Was

[quakk]

Suppose today is March 8 2013. On March 1, 2013, the population of some place called "Funtown" was conclusively determined to be 10,000. Suppose the population on March 8, 2013 is not precisely known, but I still want to talk about the population today (March 8). Then today (March 8), I should say:

"As of March 1, 2013, the population of Funtown is/was 10,000."

Should the present or past tense be used?

 

[charliedeut]

If the last census list that you have is from March 1, 20103, use "is". If you have a census list issued today, and all you are doing is remind people of the outdated one (issued March 1, 2013), use "was".

 

[Tdol]

In this context, with as of March 1, I would use the present and not the past.

 

[Raymott]

I wouldn't use "As of".

 

[emsr2d2]

There's nothing wrong with "On March 1st, 2013, the population of the town was 10,000." I don't understand the overuse of "As of".

 

[bhaisahab]

Thread closed. Clone of banned user.