Further Vs. Farther – What’s the Difference?

Further Vs. Farther

Further and farther are both adverbs and adjectives that mean “more distant.” However, there is a subtle difference between the two words in terms of their usage.

Further:

Further is generally used to refer to figurative distance, such as distance in terms of time, degree, or extent.

For example:

• Further research is needed to support this claim.
• Their relationship has grown further apart in recent years.
• The company’s profits have further increased from last quarter.
  
  

1. Degree or Extent: “Further” is used to indicate an advancement, continuation, or increase in degree or extent. It refers to something that is more extensive or additional.
   • Example 1: “We need to conduct further research to confirm our findings.”
   In this case, “further” suggests additional research is required.
   
2. Metaphorical and Figurative: It is often used in non-physical, abstract contexts, such as discussions, ideas, or progress.
   • Example 2: “The CEO’s vision will take the company further than we ever imagined.”
   Here, “further” signifies progress beyond the expected or previous levels.
   
3. Adjective Usage: “Further” can also function as an adjective when describing something additional or supplementary. For example, “further details” means additional or more specific information.
   
   

Farther:

Farther is generally used to refer to physical distance or distance that can be measured.

For example:

• The store is farther away than I thought.
• The ball traveled farther than expected.
• The bird flew farther south for the winter.
  
  

1. Physical Distance: “Farther” is used to describe a greater physical distance or spatial extent between two or more objects or locations.
   • Example 1: “The nearest gas station is farther down the highway.”
   In this context, “farther” refers to the increased distance along the highway.
   
2. Adjective Usage: As an adjective, “farther” is employed to describe the characteristics of something that is more distant or remote.
   • Example 2: “The farther side of the lake is a perfect spot for a picnic.”
   Here, “farther” characterizes the side of the lake that is more remote.
   
   

Here is a table that summarizes the difference between further and farther:

Word	Meaning	Usage
Further	more distant in time, degree, or extent	figurative distance
Farther	more distant in physical space	physical distance

Here are some more examples of how to use further and farther in a sentence:

• The train station is further down the street. (physical distance)
• We can discuss this further later. (figurative distance)
• The children ran farther than the adults. (physical distance)
• Her ideas are further ahead of their time. (figurative distance)
• The doctor said I need to walk further every day. (physical distance)
• The teacher’s explanation helped me to understand the concept further. (figurative distance)
  
  

In these cases, the use of further is more common in American English, while farther is more common in British English.

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