Farther vs. Further: Distance vs. Degree

The Traditional Rule

• Farther = physical distance you can measure
• Further = figurative distance, degree, or extent

Farther: Break Out the Ruler

Use “farther” when you’re talking about actual, measurable distance:

• “The airport is farther than I thought.” ✓
• “How much farther to the exit?” ✓
• “She ran farther than anyone else.” ✓

If you could measure it in miles, meters, or steps, it’s “farther.”

Further: Abstract Progress

Use “further” for non-physical advancement or degree:

• “Let’s discuss this further.” ✓
• “Nothing could be further from the truth.” ✓
• “She wants to further her career.” ✓
• “Do you have any further questions?” ✓

The Memory Trick

Farther has “far” in it—think of physical distance, how far something is.

Further has “fur” in it—abstract, like something you can’t touch.

The Overlap Zone

Here’s where it gets tricky: “further” is increasingly accepted for physical distance too, especially in British English.

• “The store is further down the road.” (acceptable to many)
• “We walked further into the woods.” (commonly used)

But “farther” is never used for abstract concepts. You can’t say “farther from the truth” or “farther your education.”

Safe Approach

Context	Use
Physical distance	farther (always safe)
Abstract/figurative	further (only option)
Either could work	further (more flexible)

Examples in Context

Physical (use farther):

• “The farther we drove, the worse the road got.”
• “My house is farther from downtown.”

Abstract (use further):

• “We need to look further into this matter.”
• “Further research is needed.”
• “I have nothing further to add.”

Remember

• Farther = physical distance (far + ther)
• Further = everything else (degree, extent, additional)