₦airaland Forum

Do you use farther and further interchangeably?
You’re not
alone.
These two terms have very similar meanings and
English speakers have been using them interchangeably for
centuries. However, there are subtle differences between
the terms, and the prevailing distinction that informs good
usage is fairly straightforward. Let’s take a look.

The widely accepted rule is to use farther to discuss physical
distances, as in He went farther down the road.

Further should be used for figurative distance or to discuss
degree or extent, as in I wanted to discuss it further, but we
didn’t have time. Additionally, you can further, or advance, a
project, but you cannot farther a project because farther
does not have a verb sense. Further also has an adverbial
sense of “moreover; additionally,” so you can say Further,
you hurt my feelings, but not Farther, you hurt my feelings.


While the above is a general guide to good usage, the
physical vs. figurative distance distinction is not always
adhered to in popular usage, a fact that you will find
reflected in our definitions for these two terms. However,
knowing the difference between correct usage and popular
usage will distinguish you amongst others in formal settings.
-----------------------------------

Correct: London is farther north than Juneau.
(Refers to distance)

Correct: This plan requires further study.
(Meaning "additional study," refers to amount)

Correct: According to my timetable, we should be further
along.
(Refers to time)
--------------------------------

I hope this explanation has furthered your understanding
of these two terms!

I did know this, I swear. Yet, it's well appreciated.

They'll sure come for me, now.. Nairalanders no dey rest.

Thanks

Thank you OP.

The difference between the two words is indeed similar.

I need not looking further to confirm from the dictionary cos the dictionary seems farther than my reach!

I can not even remember the last time I used farther.

Tolexander:
Thank you OP.

The difference between the two words is indeed similar.

I need not looking further to confirm from the dictionary cos the dictionary seems farther than my reach!

Uwc sir...
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*cos the dictionary seems farther FROM my reach..*
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"Farther Than" is used when comparison of 2 distances are involved. Eg: Lagos is farther than Osogbo from Abuja.
(Abuja is the reference point)
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"Farther from" is used when u express distance in relation to a reference point. Eg: Lagos is farther from osogbo.
(it means osogbo is the reference point)
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So in ur nice example which I humbly corrected.."My reach" is the reference point to the distance of wherever the dictionary was. I HOPE THIS HELPs

Tomaxzyn1:
Uwc sir...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
*cos the dictionary seems farther FROM my reach..*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Farther Than" is used when comparison of 2 distances are involved. Eg: Lagos is farther than Osogbo from Abuja.
(Abuja is the reference point)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Farther from" is used when u express distance in relation to a reference point. Eg: Lagos is farther from osogbo.
(it means osogbo is the reference point)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
So in ur nice example which I humbly corrected.."My reach" is the reference point to the distance of wherever the dictionary was. I HOPE THIS HELPs

Thanks, correction taken.

No further words sir.

It's a tricky expression. You can find all the info about it on this page. Feel free to use it.