Use farther for physical distance, the kind you could measure, and further for figurative distance, for degree, and in the sense of "additional". If you think of the word far at the start of farther, you will remember which is which.
Have you ever wondered whether to write farther or further? Chances are you have. They are two of the many English words that are easy to confuse: they sound almost the same, they are spelled almost the same, and they often mean similar things.
Since both words describe a greater distance and look and sound nearly identical, the mix-up is easy to make. But if you take a closer look at them, you will be able to tell them apart and choose the right one when it matters.
Further: an easy definition
One of the best ways to remember the difference is a simple definition for each word. For further, keep in mind that it refers to figurative or metaphorical distance: how far something goes in degree, in time, or in progress, rather than in miles or kilometers.
Further is also used when you mean something additional, for example: "I have some further questions to ask you on the subject." One sentence can use both words: "If you want to expand your vocabulary further, don't keep your dictionary any farther away than your desk."
Further can also be a verb that means to help something make progress: "She is taking an evening class to further her career." Farther has no such use.
Farther: an easy definition
Farther is even easier to remember. It refers to real, physical distance between places or things. The trick is to look for the word far at the beginning of farther: far is about a distance you can measure, and so is farther.
Sometimes both work
In some cases, you can use either word. This happens when it is not clear whether the distance is physical or not. Some careful writers look for the exact word every time, but you do not have to: many dictionaries and usage guides accept either word in these cases. In British English, further is also common for physical distance. Here is a sentence where either word works:
"I just found out that you are further along in your pregnancy than I am."
If you think of the months as a distance already covered, farther is correct as well.
More examples of farther and further
If you are still unsure which one to use, here are some more examples.
Farther
- If you go farther down the street, you should see the parade.
- When he got up, he realized that he had fallen farther than he expected.
- As we drove on, the houses were farther apart from one another.
- After she walked away, he realized that they were farther apart than he had thought.
- Samantha took Robert's hand and moved it farther away from the fire.
- "Dad, how much farther do we have to drive?"
Further
- "Your Honor, I have no further questions for this witness."
- The teacher felt he did not need to explain the lesson any further.
- "Young lady, you are grounded until further notice!" said the angry father to his daughter.
- Before we go any further, let's agree on a budget.
- After the bill was passed, Congress gave no further explanation.
Because both words are spelled correctly, a check that looks at one word at a time cannot tell you that you picked the wrong one, so it pays to know the rule. For more pairs that are easy to mix up, see a while vs. awhile and where, were, wear, and we're.