up to par

USAGE SUMMARY

'up to par' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something meets the expected standard or is satisfactory. For example: "The student's grades were up to par for the semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Credit score not up to par?

The Washington Post

And it's still not up to par.

The Washington Post

Anyway, their wines weren't up to par.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Bradley's style is pretty up to par," he said.

The New York Times

"As long as the learning is up to par".

The New York Times

I didn't really think it was up to par").

The New York Times

"His footwork has always been up to par," Cruz said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's being hollowed out and not performing up to par".

The New York Times

So his performance was not up to par?

The New Yorker

We just hadn't been playing up to par.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't feel up to par right now," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "up to par", ensure the context clearly defines the expected standard. Vague contexts can make the phrase less effective. For example, specify whose standards or which benchmarks are being met.

Common error

Avoid using "up to par" without a clear reference point for the expected level. Saying "the service wasn't up to par" is less effective than saying "the service wasn't up to par with their usual standards".

How to use

Learn how to use "up to par" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to par" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate whether something meets a particular standard. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to evaluate if a certain quality or performance is satisfactory. For example, "His work isn't up to par."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to par" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to indicate that something meets an expected standard or level of quality. Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples confirm its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to provide a clear reference point for the expected standard to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "meeting expectations" or "satisfactory" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "up to par" is a reliable phrase for expressing whether something aligns with established criteria.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meeting expectations

This phrase directly emphasizes that the standards or expectations are being satisfied.

at the required standard

More formal, highlighting that a specific standard has been achieved.

of the desired quality

Emphasizes that the quality aligns with what was wanted or expected.

satisfactory

A general term indicating that something is acceptable and fulfills the necessary requirements.

measuring up

Implies a comparison and successful achievement of a standard.

acceptable

Indicates that something is good enough to be used or tolerated.

on a similar level

Indicates comparability in terms of quality or performance.

adequate

Suggests the minimum level required is met, but doesn't necessarily imply excellence.

competent

Suggests the required skills are present to perform adequately.

good enough

An informal way of saying something is acceptable, though perhaps not ideal.

FAQs

How can I use "up to par" in a sentence?

You can use "up to par" to describe something that meets the expected standard. For example, "The team's performance wasn't "up to par" this season", indicating their performance didn't meet expectations.

What are some alternatives to saying "up to par"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "meeting expectations", "satisfactory", or "adequate". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "up to par"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Up to par" is a common idiom used to describe something that meets a required or expected standard.

What's the difference between "up to par" and "subpar"?

"Up to par" means something meets the expected standard, while "subpar" means it falls below the standard. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a quality spectrum.