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Further vs. Farther: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Further is used for abstract or figurative distances, while Farther refers to literal, physical distances.
Further vs. Farther

Key Differences

Further is commonly used to indicate a greater degree or extent in an abstract sense. Farther, on the other hand, is typically used when referring to physical distances, emphasizing a more measurable aspect.
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Nov 19, 2023
In academic or intellectual contexts, further is often the preferred choice, indicating an advancement in understanding or knowledge. Farther is more appropriate when discussing geographical or spatial distances.
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Nov 19, 2023
Further can also imply a continuation of some action or process beyond a certain point. Farther is more specific, usually linked with tangible measures of space or distance.
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Nov 19, 2023
When dealing with metaphorical or figurative language, further is the more apt choice. Farther retains its association with actual, physical space, making it less flexible in abstract contexts.
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Nov 19, 2023
In terms of usage trends, further is more widely applicable and can sometimes be used interchangeably with farther. Farther, however, maintains a narrower scope, firmly tied to physical distance.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Primary Use

Abstract or figurative distances
Literal, physical distances
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Nov 19, 2023

Contexts

Academic, intellectual, metaphorical
Geographical, spatial
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Nov 19, 2023

Connotation

Implies progression or advancement
Suggests measurable distances
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Nov 19, 2023

Interchangeability

Can sometimes replace 'farther'
Less commonly used in place of 'further'
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023

Examples of Usage

"furthering one's education"
"the farther side of the mountain"
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Nov 19, 2023
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Further and Farther Definitions

Further

To promote or advance something.
He works to further the goals of the organization.
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Nov 16, 2023

Farther

To a greater physical extent or degree.
He threw the ball farther than anyone else.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

To a greater extent or degree.
She decided to explore the topic further.
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Nov 16, 2023

Farther

At a greater distance.
The lake is farther than we thought.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

Beyond or in addition to what has been already stated.
Further, the report fails to address key issues.
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Farther

More remote or distant.
The farther reaches of the valley were unexplored.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

More distant in degree, time, or space
A result that was further from our expectations than last time.
The further lamppost.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To a more advanced point.
They journeyed farther into the wilderness.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

Additional
A further example.
A further delay.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Beyond a certain point.
Our supplies won't last any farther than this town.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

To a greater extent; more
Considered further the consequences of her actions.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To or at a more distant or remote point
Ran farther than the others.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

In addition; furthermore
He stated further that he would not cooperate with the committee.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To or at a more advanced point or stage
I went no farther that day.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

At or to a more distant or advanced point
Went only three miles further.
Reading five pages further tonight. See Usage Note at farther.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Usage Problem To a greater extent or degree
Carried the idea farther.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

To help the progress of; promote.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

More distant; remoter
The farther shore.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(transitive) To help forward; to assist.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Alternative form of further. (See also the usage notes at further.)
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(transitive) To encourage growth; to support progress or growth of something; to promote.
Further the economy.
To further the peace process
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Alternative form of further. (See also the usage notes at further.)
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(comparative form of far) More distant; relatively distant.
See those two lampposts? Run to the further one.
He was standing at the further end of the corridor.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

(uncommon or old-fashioned) further.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

More, additional.
I have one further comment to make.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

More remote; more distant than something else.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(comparative form of far) To, at or over a greater distance in space, time or other extent.
I can run further than you.
I live a little further out of town.
How was your company doing ten years further back?
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Tending to a greater distance; beyond a certain point; additional; further.
Before our farther way the fates allow.
Let me add a farther Truth.
Some farther change awaits us.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(comparative form of far) To a greater extent or degree.
Of the two civilisations, this one was further advanced.
I do not propose to discuss it any further. - Please, let me explain just a little further.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

At or to a greater distance; more remotely; beyond; as, let us rest with what we have, without looking farther.
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Further

Beyond what is already stated or is already the case.
Chapter 10 further explains the ideas introduced in Chapter 9.
Don't confuse things further.
Further, affiant sayeth naught. (A formal statement ending a deposition or affidavit, immediately preceding the affiant's signature.)
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

Moreover; by way of progress in treating a subject; as, farther, let us consider the probable event.
It will be dangerous to go on. No farther !
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(conjunctive) Also; in addition; furthermore; moreover.
It is overlong, and further, it makes no sense.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To help onward. [R.] See Further.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

(in the phrase 'further to') Following on (from).
Further to our recent telephone call, I am writing to clarify certain points raised.
This example is further to the one on page 17.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

More distant in especially space or time;
They live in the farther house
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

To a greater distance; in addition; moreover. See Farther.
Carries us, I know not how much further, into familiar company.
They sdvanced us far as Eleusis and Thria; but no further.
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Farther

More distant in especially degree;
Nothing could be further from the truth
Further from our expectations
Farther from the truth
Farther from our expectations
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

More remote; at a greater distance; more in advance; farther; as, the further end of the field. See Farther.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (`further' is used more often than `farther' in this abstract sense);
Further complicated by uncertainty about the future
Let's not discuss it further
Nothing could be further from the truth
They are further along in their research than we expected
The application of the law was extended farther
He is going no farther in his studies
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

Beyond; additional; as, a further reason for this opinion; nothing further to suggest.
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Oct 19, 2023

Farther

To or at a greater distance in time or space (`farther' is used more frequently than `further' in this physical sense);
Farther north
Moved farther away
Farther down the corridor
The practice may go back still farther to the Druids
Went only three miles further
Further in the future
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

To help forward; to promote; to advance; to forward; to help or assist.
This binds thee, then, to further my design.
I should nothing further the weal public.
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

Promote the growth of;
Foster our children's well-being and education
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

Existing or coming by way of addition;
An additional problem
Further information
There will be further delays
Took more time
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

More distant in especially degree;
Nothing could be further from the truth
Further from our expectations
Farther from the truth
Farther from our expectations
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Further

To or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (`further' is used more often than `farther' in this abstract sense);
Further complicated by uncertainty about the future
Let's not discuss it further
Nothing could be further from the truth
They are further along in their research than we expected
The application of the law was extended farther
He is going no farther in his studies
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Further

In addition or furthermore;
If we further suppose
Stated further that he would not cooperate with them
They are definitely coming; further, they should be here already
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Oct 19, 2023

Further

To or at a greater distance in time or space (`farther' is used more frequently than `further' in this physical sense);
Farther north
Moved farther away
Farther down the corridor
The practice may go back still farther to the Druids
Went only three miles further
Further in the future
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Further

Additional; more.
Further research is required to confirm the hypothesis.
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Nov 16, 2023

Further

At a greater distance.
They moved further away from the city.
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Nov 16, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is further used for non-physical distances?

Yes, further is often used for abstract or metaphorical distances.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can farther be used for metaphorical advancement?

Farther is typically not used for metaphorical contexts and is more suitable for physical distances.
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Nov 19, 2023

Do farther and further have the same origin?

They both originate from the Old English 'further,' but their usage has diverged over time.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can further imply advancement in a career?

Yes, further can imply progression or advancement in various contexts, including careers.
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Nov 19, 2023

Does further have a temporal application?

Yes, further can be used in a temporal sense to indicate a continuation in time.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can further be used to indicate more of something?

Yes, further can indicate an addition or more of something.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is farther used in academic writing?

Farther is used in academic writing when referring to physical distances.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is further interchangeable with farther?

Further can sometimes be used in place of farther, but not always vice versa.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is farther measurable?

Yes, farther is used when referring to measurable physical distances.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can further be used in spatial contexts?

While it's less common, further can be used for spatial distances, especially when the exact measure isn't the focus.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can further be used as a verb?

Yes, further can be used as a verb meaning to advance or promote.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is farther ever used as a verb?

Farther is not typically used as a verb.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is further used in directional contexts?

Further is less commonly used for specific directions compared to farther.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is further more versatile in usage?

Yes, further is more versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts, both abstract and physical.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is farther used for comparisons?

Farther is used in comparisons involving physical distances.
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Nov 19, 2023

Does farther imply a longer distance?

Yes, farther implies a longer physical distance.
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Nov 19, 2023

Is farther appropriate for discussing time?

Farther is generally not used for discussing time.
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Nov 19, 2023

Are further and farther synonyms?

They are not exact synonyms due to their distinct uses in different contexts.
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Nov 19, 2023

Can further imply a continuation of action?

Yes, further can suggest the continuation or advancement of an action or process.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023

Can farther be used figuratively?

Farther is rarely used in a figurative sense.
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Nov 19, 2023

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