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Fixed expressions

On par or at par

On par with is the standard expression for equality or similar quality. At par is mainly financial English.

Quick answer

Which one is standard?

Use on par with to compare equal quality or level. Use at par mostly in finance to mean at face value.

Her work is on par with the best teams
The bonds traded at par
Sales are now on par with last year's figures

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on par with + noun

Equal standard or level

This is the common expression for comparison.

The service is on par with luxury hotels
2
at par

Financial value

Use at par in finance for face value or equal exchange value.

The shares were sold at par
3
on a par with + noun

Formal variant

On a par with is a slightly more formal version.

His achievements are on a par with previous winners

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on par with
Their prices are on par with competitors.
equal in quality or level
at par
The currency is trading at par.
equal to face or exchange value
on par
The two teams are on par.
roughly equal
at par with
At par with is less standard outside finance.
often avoided in general English

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using at par for general comparison

General English usually prefers on par with.

✕ Her skills are at par with mine. ✓ Her skills are on par with mine.

Omitting with after on par

With introduces the comparison target.

✕ The product is on par competitors. ✓ The product is on par with competitors.

Using on par for prices at face value

Finance normally uses at par.

✕ The bond traded on par. ✓ The bond traded at par.

Confusing par with average

On par means equal, not necessarily average.

✓ Their results are on par with the industry leader.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The new model is ___ par with the older version.
2. The bonds were issued ___ par.
3. Her performance is on a par ___ the finalists.

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Frequently asked questions

Is at par with correct?

It appears in some varieties of English, but on par with is more standard for general comparison.

What does at par mean?

In finance, it means at face value or equal exchange value.

Can I say simply on par?

Yes, when the comparison is already clear from context.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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