Pair or Pair

In the Portuguese language, there are similar expressions or with identical spellings that often confuse speakers in different situations.

by and by are examples of this type of expression. Both terms have identical spellings but have different meanings.

see below some examples of the semantic difference, that is, the difference in meaning between these expressions.

On par – What does it mean?

on par is a widely used expression and compared to the peer, it is more prominent in the Portuguese language.

On par means being aware, informed or having knowledge of something.

Examples:

• Juliana is abreast of the situation.
• Mario is abreast of the meeting tonight.

The two sentences demonstrate that the subjects are aware of what happened.

It is important to emphasize that abreast it can also indicate something happening at the same time or side by side, pair by pair.

Examples:

• the senator stayed abreast of the president at the reception.
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• the king stayed abreast of the queen at the ball.

In the first and second sentences, it is observed that a par means side by side. Therefore, it can be said that “the senator was side by side with the president” and “the king stood side by side with the queen”.

Up to par – What does it mean?

at par should be used to refer to financial matters, expressing comparisons of currency values ​​and exchange operations.

Therefore, at par means equivalent value or have identical, equal value.

Examples:

• the Swiss franc is at par of the euro.
• the pound is not at par of the dollar.

In the first sentence, it is seen that at par means equal value. Thus, it can be stated that “the value of the Swiss franc it's the same to that of the euro”.

In the second sentence, it is observed that the pair is expressing contrast between the value of the pound and the value of the dollar. Therefore, in this sentence the intention is to highlight that “the value of the pound it's not the same to the dollar”.

Read more:

• Between or between? – See correct usage and differences
• Hairdresser or hairdresser?