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Par in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples

    A golfer checks a scorecard beside a green under bright morning light.

    Par in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples

    Par is a noun for an expected standard, especially the score a skilled golfer is expected to make on a hole or course. In a sentence, par also appears in set phrases such as “on a par with,” “below par,” and “par for the course”; it is not a general adjective meaning “matching.”

    Key facts at a glance

    • Par is a noun for a usual standard or condition.
    • In golf, par is the expected stroke count for a hole or course.
    • “On a par with” means equal or comparable.
    • “Below par” can describe a poor standard or a golf score better than par.
    • “Par for the course” describes something expected from past experience.

    What does par mean in a sentence?

    Par is most often a noun. Cambridge Dictionary gives three useful senses: an expected standard or condition, a golf score standard, and a financial instrument’s original or nominal value. The surrounding words make the intended meaning clear.

    Use Meaning Example
    Golf Expected strokes for a hole or course “The par for the short hole is three.”
    General standard The usual level or condition “The repair work was below par.”
    Comparison phrase Equal or comparable in status or quality “Her results are on a par with last year’s.”
    Finance The original or stated value of a share or bond “The bond was issued at par.”

    How do common par phrases work?

    Common expressions use par with a preposition or a fixed phrase. The full expression carries the meaning, so keep its words together rather than using par as a loose modifier.

    • On a par with: equal or comparable to someone or something. “The local team is on a par with its regional rivals.”
    • At par: at the stated or nominal financial value. “The notes were sold at par.”
    • Up to par: meeting the expected standard. “The final draft is now up to par.”
    • Below or under par: worse than the expected standard, or—in golf—a score lower than par.
    • Par for the course: expected based on previous experience. “A short delay is par for the course in winter.”
    • Par excellence: the best example of a kind, as in “a host par excellence.”

    Watch the context around under par: a golfer who finishes under par scores better than the course standard, while a service that is under par is below its usual quality. The phrase is identical; the domain changes the interpretation.

    What are correct examples of par in a sentence?

    These examples show par used as a golf or general-standard noun and in established phrases.

    1. The course’s par is 72, so Mira finished three strokes under par.
    2. Each player tried to make par on the final hole.
    3. The restaurant’s service was below par during the lunch rush.
    4. After a quiet morning, Sam felt back up to par.
    5. The renovated gym is on a par with the larger campus facility.
    6. Unexpected maintenance calls are par for the course in an old building.
    7. The company issued the bonds at par.
    8. She is a musician par excellence, known for precise performances.
    Two runners reach the same marked finish line during a friendly race.
    “On a par with” describes people or things at a comparable level.

    Can par be used as a general word for equal?

    Usually, no. English expresses equality with the complete phrase on a par with or on par with; the noun par does not normally modify another noun by itself. “The two plans are on a par” works, while “a par plan” does not express the same idea.

    The same rule catches many accidental constructions. Phrases such as “par branch,” “par project,” or “par affordable prices” are not standard English. Depending on the intended meaning, write “a branch,” “a project,” “a comparable project,” or “prices on a par with nearby stores.”

    A bond certificate rests beside a simple chart showing its stated value.
    In finance, par can refer to a security’s original stated value.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does “par for the course” mean?

    “Par for the course” means that something is expected because it fits past experience. For example, “A late schedule change is par for the course during renovations” says the change is typical in that situation. The phrase may sound neutral or mildly critical depending on the context.

    Is “par excellence” used correctly in a sentence?

    Yes. “Par excellence” means the finest or most typical example of a type, and it normally follows the noun it describes: “She is a teacher par excellence.” It is a fixed phrase, so do not treat par by itself as a substitute for excellent.

    What does “below par” mean outside golf?

    Outside golf, “below par” means worse than the usual or expected standard. “The service was below par” means the service did not meet expectations. In golf, below par instead describes a score lower than the hole or course’s assigned par.

    Can “par” mean equal to something?

    The equality meaning normally appears in the phrase “on a par with” or “on par with,” followed by the person or thing being compared. For example, “The new library is on a par with the city’s best study spaces.” Avoid using par alone to mean equal.

    Conclusion

    Use par for a golf score standard, a usual level, or a financial value; use the full idiom when you mean equality or something expected. In a sentence, the phrase around par—not the word alone—usually signals the intended sense.

    Sources

    Usage note: The older examples retained below contain combinations such as “par branch” and “par mouse.” Those are not standard uses of par; follow the corrected phrases and examples above.

    Do you ever find yourself unsure of when to use “par” in a sentence? Let’s break it down. “Par” is a term frequently used in golf, meaning the standard score set for each hole on a course. In grammar, it can also refer to being equal or equivalent to something else.

    In everyday language, “par” can be used to convey being on an equal level or standing with others in a particular scenario. Keep reading to discover how to use this versatile word effectively in your sentences.

    7 Examples Of Par Used In a Sentence For Kids

    1. I like to play par games with my friends.
    2. The bird sat on the par branch of the tree.
    3. The cat chased the par mouse around the garden.
    4. I will bring my toy car to par with you.
    5. Let’s have a picnic at the par near the river.
    6. The teacher told us to line up in par before entering the classroom.
    7. We saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky at the par of the day.

    14 Sentences with Par Examples

    • The student went to the library to study par excellence.
    • The professor asked the class to work in groups par project.
    • The college canteen offers snacks par affordable prices.
    • The final exams were scheduled par December.
    • The students gathered par the annual college fest.
    • The lecture hall was equipped par audio-visual aids.
    • The students organized a charity event par their social responsibility club.
    • The college encouraged students to participate par sports competitions.
    • The college campus is located par the city center.
    • The students presented their research findings par a conference.
    • The lab assignments are due par next week.
    • The college provides scholarships par meritorious students.
    • The college hostel offers accommodation par outstation students.
    • The students formed a study group par better understanding of the subjects.

    How To Use Par in Sentences?

    To use “Par” effectively in a sentence, start by understanding its meaning. Par typically refers to a standard or average level of quality, accomplishment, or condition that is considered acceptable.

    When constructing a sentence with Par, consider using it to compare something to a standard or expectation. For example, “Her work performance is below par” indicates that her performance is not meeting the expected standard. On the other hand, “The restaurant’s service was above par” suggests that the service exceeded the average or expected level.

    Remember to place Par before the quality or quantity you are comparing it with in a sentence. This will make the comparison clear and help convey your intended message effectively.

    Additionally, ensure that the context of your sentence is appropriate for using Par. Whether you are discussing sports, business, academics, or personal matters, Par can be a useful term for indicating performance levels.

    Practice using Par in various sentences to become more comfortable with incorporating it into your vocabulary. Over time, you will gain confidence in utilizing Par correctly in different contexts. Experiment with different sentence structures and scenarios to master the use of Par in your writing and communication.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, sentences with the keyword “par” can vary in structure and meaning, often used to indicate comparison or equivalence. These sentences may highlight similarities between two or more things, clarify measurements or standards, or express a sense of fairness or balance. By incorporating the keyword “par” into a sentence, one can convey a sense of equality, adequacy, or even competition between different entities.

    Overall, the keyword “par” is a versatile linguistic tool that can effectively convey a range of concepts in a clear and concise manner. Whether used in discussions of sports, finance, or everyday comparisons, sentences with “par” serve to emphasize similarities, standards, or equilibrium, enriching communication and facilitating an accurate exchange of ideas.

    Written & edited by

    Founder & Editor, StartsWithy

    Robin founded StartsWithy in 2022 to make English words easier to understand and use. Robin oversees our 30,000+ guides, checks meanings and grammar against trusted dictionaries such as Cambridge, Oxford Learner’s and Collins, and is accountable for every correction we make.