People use both further and farther to mean “more distant.” Although they are often used interchangeably, “further” and “farther” don’t have exactly the same meaning. The word farther is an adverb form of far, which is used to express the distance between two entities or objects by comparing them. Basically, “farther” refers to actual distances between objects while further refers to figurative distances or something that is additional or more.
Farther is often contrasted with the word further when we talk of spatial distance. Both father and further can be used as adverbs and adjectives, but further can also be used as a verb to mean assist in progress or development. Further, is commonly used to denote distance in a non-literal sense, i.e. when it is only imaginable but not measurable. It may also mean, additional or more.
Difference between Farther and Further
FARTHER
- The word ‘farther’ is used to indicate more distant, or longer in terms of distance which is measurable. The word farther is used to make a comparison in terms of the measurable distance between two entities. It may also be used to mean to a greater degree or extent.
- When used as an adjective, “farther” describes when one object is more distant than the other, requiring a measurement of the distance from one common point to both objects.
- The word farther talks about actual or figurative distance, that we can measure in meters or kilometers respectively.
- Farther is a comparative form of the adverb ‘far’, which implies to, or at a considerable distance. It is used to express the degree to which an object is away from another object, in actual units of measurement.
- It may also be used for talking about figurative distance.
- Examples: Due to dense fog, we are not able to see farther than 30 meters. Her house is farther than mine.
FURTHER
- ‘Further’ indicates imaginative distance, i.e. it mainly deals with the degree to which something is away or apart from the other. the word ‘further’ is used in a metaphorical context, i.e. it refers to the imaginative distance, which cannot be easily measured or observed. It also implies additional or more.
- When used as an adverb, “further” expresses a relationship to a place or time, something additional or to a greater degree.
- The word ‘further’ is used to discuss symbolic distance only which indicates the degree.
- Further is an abstract concept that is used in sentences to express imaginative distance, to talk about the extent to which one thing is far away from the other. In short, when there is no idea of the distance, both in terms of units and time, we use ‘further’.
- Further, is primarily used in metaphorical situations. It can also be used to mean moreover, or in addition to.
- Examples: They asked me to wait, till further notified. I think we need to go further, to reach the exact location.
