Farther vs Further: Understanding the Difference

"Farther" and "further" are often used interchangeably, but there's a traditional distinction that can make your writing more precise. This comprehensive guide will help you understand when to use each word correctly.

Quick Answer

• Farther = physical distance (actual measurable space)
• Further = figurative/abstract distance, additional degree, or advancement

Farther: Definition and Usage

Farther is used primarily for physical, measurable distance.

When to Use Farther:

Use "farther" when discussing literal, physical distance that can be measured in miles, kilometers, feet, meters, etc.

Pronunciation: FAR-ther

Part of Speech: Adjective or adverb (comparative form of "far")

Examples of Farther (Physical Distance):

Basic Distance:

• Chicago is farther from here than Milwaukee.
• How much farther do we have to walk?
• The next gas station is farther than I thought.
• She threw the ball farther than anyone else.
• The farthest planet from the sun is Neptune.

Travel and Movement:

• We drove farther into the countryside.
• Can you swim farther than 100 meters?
• The store is farther down the road.
• He ran farther than his training partner.
• The cabin is farther up the mountain.

Spatial Relationships:

• Move the chair farther from the wall.
• The tree is farther from the house than the shed.
• Stand farther back for a better view.
• The target is farther away than it appears.
• Push the couch farther to the left.

Measurement:

• It's 10 miles farther to the next town.
• The beach is 5 kilometers farther north.
• The second star is several light-years farther.
• The finish line is 200 meters farther.

Related Forms:

• Far (positive)
• Farther (comparative)
• Farthest (superlative)

Examples:

• This is far from home.
• This is farther from home than the store.
• This is the farthest I've ever traveled.

Further: Definition and Usage

Further is used for figurative/abstract distance, additional information, or advancement.

When to Use Further:

Use "further" for non-physical concepts, abstract ideas, additional actions, or metaphorical advancement.

Pronunciation: FUR-ther

Part of Speech: Adjective, adverb, or verb

Further as an Adverb/Adjective:

Definition: To a greater extent, additional, more

Examples of Further (Abstract/Figurative):

Abstract Concepts:

• Let's discuss this further.
• We need to investigate further.
• The crisis will worsen further without action.
• His remarks only confused things further.
• The relationship deteriorated further over time.
• The economy declined further last quarter.

Additional Information/Actions:

• Do you have any further questions?
• Further investigation is needed.
• We require further clarification.
• Please provide further details.
• No further action is necessary.
• Further studies are required.
• Until further notice, the office is closed.

Advancement/Progress:

• This will further our understanding.
• She wants to further her education.
• The goal is to further the cause.
• This discovery will further science.
• Training will further your career.
• The policy will further economic growth.

Degree or Extent:

• Nothing could be further from the truth.
• I have nothing further to add.
• The situation couldn't get further out of hand.
• Take it a step further.
• That's taking things a bit further than necessary.

Further as a Verb:

Definition: To help the progress or development of something; to promote or advance

Examples:

• He did it to further his career.
• The research will further our knowledge.
• She joined the committee to further the initiative.
• This program furthers educational opportunities.
• They're working to further the peace process.

Verb Forms:

• Present: further/furthers
• Past: furthered
• Present participle: furthering
• Past participle: furthered

Related Forms:

• Further (comparative)
• Furthest (superlative) - can be used for both physical and abstract
• Furthermore (moreover, in addition)

Key Differences

Farther	Further
Physical distance	Abstract/figurative distance
Measurable space	Additional degree or extent
Miles, kilometers, feet	Concepts, ideas, progress
"10 miles farther"	"Further discussion"
Adjective/adverb only	Adjective/adverb/verb
"How much farther?"	"Any further questions?"
Literal distance	Metaphorical advancement
Can be measured	Cannot be physically measured

Memory Tricks

1. The "A" in Farther = Actual Distance

• FARTHER has an A for Actual physical distance
• Think: Actual space you can measure
• Aches in your feet from walking farther

2. The "U" in Further = yoU (abstract/you)

• FURTHER has a U for yoU (relating to ideas, thoughts, feelings)
• Understanding requires further study
• Use it for things you can't measure with a ruler

3. Physical vs. Abstract

• If you can measure it with a ruler or map → FARTHER
• If it's about ideas or additional things → FURTHER

4. The "UR" Connection

• FURTHER contains UR like "yoUR" or "fURther yoUR knowledge"
• It's about UR (your) abstract concepts

5. Simple Rule

• FARTHER = FAR (distance word) + THER
• FURTHER = Add something FURTHER to the discussion

Common Mistakes and Corrections

Incorrect Usage:

1. We need to discuss this farther. (Wrong!)
2. The store is further down the street. (Debatable - traditionally wrong)
3. Do you have any farther questions? (Wrong!)
4. Chicago is further than Milwaukee. (Debatable - traditionally wrong)
5. This will farther your career. (Wrong!)
6. We walked further than 5 miles. (Debatable - traditionally wrong)

Correct Usage:

1. We need to discuss this further.
2. The store is farther down the street.
3. Do you have any further questions?
4. Chicago is farther than Milwaukee.
5. This will further your career.
6. We walked farther than 5 miles.

Note on Modern Usage:

In modern English, especially in American English, "further" is increasingly used for both physical and abstract distance. While the traditional distinction still matters in formal writing, many people use "further" universally. However, "farther" is almost exclusively used for physical distance.

Examples in Context

Farther (Physical Distance):

Travel:

• We need to drive farther to reach the campsite.
• The hotel is farther from the airport than advertised.
• I can't walk any farther today.
• The second location is farther but worth the trip.

Sports:

• He kicked the ball farther than the goalkeeper expected.
• She swam farther than anyone in her age group.
• The javelin flew farther in the second attempt.
• Can you jump farther than 6 feet?

Geography:

• Russia extends farther east than people realize.
• The river flows farther south before reaching the ocean.
• Mount Everest is farther from here than K2.

Measurement:

• The planet is several billion miles farther from Earth.
• The target is 50 yards farther than the last one.
• Move 3 inches farther to the right.

Further (Abstract/Additional):

Discussion/Communication:

• Let's explore this topic further.
• We'll discuss it further at the meeting.
• I have nothing further to say.
• Please elaborate further on your proposal.
• The matter requires further consideration.

Investigation/Study:

• Further research is needed.
• The police will investigate further.
• Further analysis revealed surprising results.
• We need to look into this further.
• Further testing is required.

Additional Information:

• Do you need any further assistance?
• Further instructions will be sent tomorrow.
• No further updates are available.
• For further information, visit our website.
• Further details can be found in the appendix.
• Until further notice, the policy remains unchanged.

Advancement:

• This will further the company's goals.
• She wants to further her education.
• The program furthers environmental protection.
• Networking can further your career.
• The treaty will further international cooperation.

Degree/Extent:

• The situation deteriorated further.
• Nothing could be further from my mind.
• The economy declined further last month.
• Take it one step further.
• This is further proof of the theory.

Special Cases and Exceptions

"Furthermore" (Only One Spelling):

Always spelled with "u" - means "in addition" or "moreover"

Examples:

• The plan is expensive. Furthermore, it's impractical.
• She's qualified. Furthermore, she has ten years of experience.
• The product is faulty. Furthermore, it's overpriced.

"Furthest" vs "Farthest":

Both can be used for physical distance in the superlative form:

• Jupiter is one of the farthest planets. (traditional)
• Jupiter is one of the furthest planets. (also acceptable)

For abstract concepts, use "furthest":

• That's the furthest thing from my mind.
• This is the furthest the research has gone.

British vs American English:

British English tends to use "further" for both physical and abstract distance more commonly than American English. American English more strictly maintains the traditional distinction.

Common Phrases

With "Farther":

• Farther away
• Farther down the road
• Farther than expected
• Farther north/south/east/west
• How much farther?
• Can't go any farther
• Farther back
• Farther along

With "Further":

• Further notice
• Further ado (without further ado)
• Further along (in progress, not distance)
• Further information
• Further action
• Further evidence
• Further away (abstract)
• Go further (achieve more)
• Take it further
• Look no further
• Nothing further
• Further afield (exploring beyond)
• Furthermore
• Further to (in reference to)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word (farther or further) for each sentence:

1. We need to investigate this _____ before making a decision.
2. The restaurant is 5 miles _____ down the highway.
3. Do you have any _____ questions about the policy?
4. I can't throw the ball any _____ than that.
5. This discovery will _____ our understanding of the universe.
6. The park is _____ from here than the library.
7. _____ information will be provided next week.
8. He swam _____ than anyone else in the race.
9. Let's take this discussion _____ tomorrow.
10. The next town is several miles _____.
11. No _____ action is needed at this time.
12. How much _____ do we need to drive?

Answers:

1. further, 2) farther, 3) further, 4) farther, 5) further, 6) farther, 7) Further, 8) farther, 9) further, 10) farther, 11) further, 12) farther

Using Both Words Together

Sometimes you might need both words in one context:

• The farther we traveled, the further behind schedule we fell.

  • (Physical distance vs. abstract degree)

• Moving farther from the city will further our goal of peaceful living.

  • (Physical distance vs. advancing a goal)

• We need to drive farther to get further information.

  • (Physical distance vs. additional information)

• The farther you go, the further you develop as a person.

  • (Physical distance vs. personal growth)

Regional and Style Variations

Formal Writing:

Maintains strict distinction between farther (physical) and further (abstract)

Informal Writing/Speech:

Often uses "further" for both, especially in British English

American vs British:

• American: More likely to distinguish
• British: More likely to use "further" for both

Academic Writing:

Strongly prefers maintaining the traditional distinction

Summary

FARTHER (Physical Distance):

• Use for actual, measurable distance
• Miles, kilometers, feet, meters
• Can be measured on a map or with a ruler
• "How much farther?" (measurable answer)
• Contains "A" for Actual distance
• Examples: farther down the road, 10 miles farther

FURTHER (Abstract/Additional):

• Use for figurative distance, additional, or advancement
• Ideas, concepts, degree, extent
• Cannot be physically measured
• "Any further questions?" (additional)
• Contains "U" for yoU and abstract concepts
• Can be used as a verb (further your career)
• Examples: further discussion, further investigation, further your education

Quick Decision Tree:

1. Can you measure it with a ruler/map? → FARTHER
2. Is it about ideas, additional info, or advancement? → FURTHER
3. Can it be used as a verb? → Only FURTHER
4. When in doubt in informal writing → FURTHER is more flexible

Conclusion

While modern English, especially British English, increasingly accepts "further" for both physical and abstract uses, maintaining the traditional distinction adds precision to your writing. Farther refers to physical, measurable distance—think "actual" distance with the "A" in farther. Further refers to abstract concepts, additional information, or advancement—think "you" and abstract ideas with the "U" in further.

In formal writing, especially academic or professional contexts, it's best to preserve this distinction. Remember: if you can measure it on a map, use farther; if it's about ideas, degree, or additional information, use further. The good news is that even if you use "further" for everything, most people will understand you, though using "farther" for physical distance is always correct and more precise!