Further vs Farther – How Are They Different?

What’s the difference between further vs farther?

It’s easy to confuse these two words, even for native English speakers. But there is a simple way to remember the difference between them.

Further describes figurative distances and time. In other words, it is referring to a metaphorical distance and not a precise measurement. It is distance by degree or extent.

Farther is used when referring to distance and you want to indicate a physical distance that can usually be measured.

However, the two words have always been interchanged and are often used to indicate either meaning in different forms of the English language.

If you are a little pedantic about your choice of words, it is worth understanding these two. Then you can get them right every time.

You can ask how far?

But you can’t ask how fur?

A quick way to understand the small contrast is that the farther derives from the word far, which means a distinct measurable distance.

As an example, you might ask questions like these to refer to physical distances.

“How far is Paris from Berlin?”“It’s just over 1,000 kilometres.”

“How much farther is London from Paris?” “Just under 300 kilometres farther.”

These phrases are referring to a distance that is quantifiable and not simply an advanced point.

However, it is not wrong to use further in the second example.

In British English especially, the two are often generally equivalent. In American English though, farther is used more often when referring to measurable distance.

Let’s progress further

When there is no specific or measurable distance, we use further.

It often refers to a greater degree rather than a greater distance.

In general, further is a figurative or metaphorical form and is used when referring to figurative distance, metaphorical advancement or an extension of time or of degree.

It is also often used in common set expressions.

For example:

The more you study, the further you can go in life.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Without further ado.

Start wide, expand further, and never look back. – Arnold Schwarzenegger

I want to investigate these two words much further.

In order to further my career, I really need to study more.

Before we go any further, can we agree on the main aim of the project?

Let’s get this deal moving, without any further delay.

I demanded further examination of my application.

Further as a verb

Unlike farther, further is also a verb. It means to advance something, which is easy to understand.

As examples:

We would like to further this project with more funding.

To further your career prospects, you should socialise in the right circles.

I really plan on furthering my chances by joining an industry association.

Are you planning to further your education?

I had hoped that my new degree would further my career prospects.

To further your knowledge, you should read a lot more.

Further as an adjective

Before a noun, further can be an adjective to describe something as more distant or to a greater extent.

Examples:

If you want to see the cows, go to the further reaches of the farm.

For further details, please contact our head office.

It looks like we have a further complication. 

They have decided to take no further action regarding the matter. 

The gallery is closed until further notice.

Further as an adverb

You can modify a verb by using further as an adverb.

For example:

It looks like the foundations are sinking further into the ground.

If the temperature drops any further, we will need to turn on the central heating.

We didn’t get much further on the project at the last meeting. 

Can you stand a bit further back, please?

And furthermore

A good way to remember the difference between further and father is when you can use the adverb, furthermore.

It means in addition to, as well as, or on top of that. All of these have immeasurable meanings and do not relate to a defined distance.

Furthermore, I would like to say that we plan to proceed no further with these negotiations.

There are no rewards for failure. Furthermore, the rewards for success are limited.

I have nothing furthermore to add concerning the proposed resolution.

What about the comparative and superlative form?

Generally, we would use further rather than farther for superlative and comparative adjectives. Here are a few examples of both forms.

It is further to Moscow than Prague. Although, it is farther would also be correct.

The moon is furthest from Earth at the apogee. But yes, farthest could also be used.

We shouldn’t go any further because the road looks dangerous.

How much farther do we have to walk?

Come on. Why don’t we see who can run furthest?

He took a seat farthest away from the lectern.

In writing, you would probably select further in either form because farther sounds a little formal and cumbersome.

But the same rule applies if you want to be absolutely explicit in meaning. If it is absolute distance, use farther.

Further to what I just said

In the end, there is only a little difference between these two confusing words.

If you are in any doubt, use further and you will almost always be correct. You can use it both figuratively and literally.

But if you really want to be definitive about referring to absolute and measurable distance, use farther for a literal sense of defined distance.

If you have your kids in the back of the car asking, “Oh, how much further?” You would say, “Not long now.”

But if they asked, “How much farther?” You would have to reply, “Twenty-seven and a half miles.”

I hope you don’t have smart kids who know the difference to tell you when you are wrong.

Just remember that you will only use farther when it refers to far, so is quite restricted in use.

I don’t think I should take this topic of further vs farther any further, because I have nothing further to add.