Question: Fran, what’s the difference between further and farther?
Answer: Both words refer to distance, in a sense. One word refers to distance that can be measured; the other refers to distance in terms of time or degree. Do you know which is which?
“Farther” refers to a distance that can be measured. (Think about the word “far.”)
Example: She lives farther from the Chamber office than I do.
“Further” refers to an intangible distance, such as a length of time or a degree.
Examples: Further investigation revealed a hidden clue in the attic.
She will question the winner further to make sure he was not cheating.
2 comments:
Love this answer. It is very concise and absolutely correct.
I always use the following rule of thumb.
If it can be replaced with "more" or "additional," then use "further." If it refers to a distance or measurement then use "farther."
One additional thing, only "further" may be used as a verb, as in, "His studies will further his career."
Love this answer. It is very concise and absolutely correct.
I always use the following rule of thumb.
If it can be replaced with "more" or "additional," then use "further." If it refers to a distance or measurement then use "farther."
One additional thing, only "further" may be used as a verb, as in, "His studies will further his career."
May 12, 2013 at 1:54 PM
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