For many English speakers, farther and further are two words that get mixed up frequently. They both have the ability to be adverbs, adjectives, and verbs, and they can show physical or metaphorical distance or degree.
Though some usage guides recommend using farther only for physical distance and further for figurative ones, the safest bet is to let your ear guide you.
What is the Difference Between Further and Farther?
One of the most common mistakes people make is confusing farther and further. It’s easy to see why people might mix them up; they both describe distance, but they have different meanings. Farther is a physical, measurable distance, while further can be used for metaphorical distances and goals. As a result, it’s important to keep this distinction in mind when writing.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to remember the difference between these two words. Just remember that farther starts with a F, which reminds us of physical distance, while further begins with an A, which represents figurative distance. Using this trick can help you avoid the confusion between these two words, even when referencing a metaphorical distance or goal. If you’re a writer, this can also be a helpful trick to help you remember which word to use in a given context. It may take a little practice, but it will become second nature in no time.
Further is an Adjective
Farther and further are both adjectives that can be used as adverbs, but they have slightly different meanings. They can both refer to distance, but farther is a literal, physical distance that can be measured while further is a more figurative or metaphorical distance. It’s important to keep this difference in mind, especially if you’re writing something that will be read by other people.
In the past, these words were often interchangeable as adverbs, but today it’s best to stick with further for figurative distances and farther for literal distances. The easiest way to remember this is that farther has the word far in it while further doesn’t. That should make it easier to avoid mixing them up! And if you ever forget, just think of the old saying “Far more than nearer” to remind yourself that farther is about distance while further is about degree. Thanks for reading! Let us know if you have any other grammar questions in the comments below.
Further is a Verb
You’ll find that farther and further are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. Both are adverbs and both can be used as adjectives, but further has a different meaning when it is used as a verb.
Further, when it is used as a verb, means to a greater extent or degree. This can be literal, such as the distance between friends or it can be figurative, such as the amount of work you need to do before you are ready for retirement.
This might seem like a small distinction, but it can make a big difference in your writing. Use your grammar checker, such as ProWritingAid, to ensure that you are using the right word for the right situation. It will also help you catch any spelling mistakes that you might otherwise miss. Start your free trial today!
Further is a Noun
In the past, these two words were largely interchangeable when used as adjectives to describe distance (literal or figurative). While some usage guides still recommend using farther for physical distance and further for figurative, further is rapidly taking over as the preferred word.
To further something means to advance it in some way. This can be done physically, such as by constructing a building, or metaphorically, such as by encouraging someone to pursue their dream career. Using further in these cases is less likely to confuse listeners, as it can still refer to a physical distance, but also to a figurative one. For example, Kya could say they want to further her education or her business by bringing in new clients. By contrast, saying they want to build a bigger house would probably cause confusion. This is because the second example refers to a physical distance, while the first is about an abstract idea. This is why it’s important to use further rather than far more often.