Further vs Farther|Difference, Meaning & Examples

Further and farther are both correct words to show “greater distance.” For example, “further from home” and “farther from home” are equally correct. When they refer to distance, “farther” and “further” can be adverbs or adjectives.

“Further” has additional meanings that don’t apply to “farther”:

  • “More” (adverb or adjective)
  • “Additionally” (conjunctive adverb)
  • “To advance” or “to promote” (verb)
Farther vs further examples
Definition Correct word Example
At a greater distance Further or farther To train for the triathlon, Alana rode her bike a little further each day.

Joaquin’s apartment is farther from campus than Dan’s apartment.

More Further After further research, Conner found that exercise improves mental health.
Additionally Further Kansas City has the world’s first women’s professional soccer stadium. Further, its NFL team won the Super Bowl.
To advance Further The book will further awareness about cybersecurity.

Further or farther for distance

“Further” and “farther” can both be used as comparative adjectives that mean “greater in distance.” The distance can be literal or figurative. For example, the distance between Paris and London is literal. The distance between two people’s perspectives is figurative.

As adjectives, these words modify nouns. For example, they can be predicate adjectives that modify the sentence’s subject.

Further or farther as adjectives for distance examples
Millennium Park is farther from the stadium than the Field Museum. (literal)

The 1996 Romeo and Juliet film is further from the original play than the 1968 film. (figurative)

“Further” and “farther” are also correct adverbs for “greater in distance” when they modify verbs or adjectives. Again, the distance can be literal or figurative.

Further or farther as adverbs for distance examples
Painted lady butterflies migrate farther each year than monarch butterflies. (literal)

Claire and Arlo grew further apart after Claire graduated. (figurative)

Note
Although “further” and “farther” are both technically correct for distance, some style guides recommend “farther” for literal distances and “further” for figurative distances.

This distinction is more common in American English than British English.

Further for more (adjective or adverb)

Another definition for “further” is “more.” In this context, “further” can be an adjective or adverb.

Further for more examples
Rewards program members can receive further discounts if they join the mailing list.

Betina revised the dissertation further after analyzing more data.

The adjective version is similar to “additional.” The adverb version means “to a greater extent.” In either case, “farther” is not the right word for “more.”

Further or farther for more examples
  • The biologist explained farther that chameleons have panoramic vision.
  • The biologist explained further that chameleons have panoramic vision.

Further for to advance (verb)

“Further” can also be a verb meaning “to advance” or “to promote” whereas “farther” can’t. The verb form of “further” takes a direct object.

Further as a verb examples
Cyrus took a course on learning management systems to further his career.

This workshop will further your understanding of pollinators and challenge your beliefs about landscaping.

Further vs furthermore for additionally (conjunctive adverb)

“Further” is also a short version of “furthermore.” Both words are correct synonyms for the transition words “moreover” and “additionally.” When used as a transition word, “further” is a conjunctive adverb that begins a sentence or clause.

Further meaning additionally example
The animated program Adventure Time delighted millions of viewers. Further, it won several Emmy Awards.

As a transition word, “further” shows how two sentences or clauses are connected.

Tip
When you begin a sentence or clause with a transition word like “further,” use a comma to show where the transition ends.

  • Matcha has become a popular alternative to coffee; further, it may have health benefits.
  • Raul grows nine varieties of tomatoes. Further, he bakes his own bread.

Frequently asked questions about farther and further

How do you use further in a sentence?

Use further to compare distances (e.g., “After driving a little further, we found the hotel”). When used in this sense, the words further and farther can be used interchangeably.

Also use “further” when you mean “more” (e.g., “Zoe did further research”), “to advance” (e.g., “The fundraiser will further a great cause”), or “furthermore” (e.g., “The moon is full, and further, Mercury is in retrograde”).

When you’re unsure whether further is the right word, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid mistakes.

Is it further or farther from the truth?

An idea can be further or farther from the truth. Both words are correct ways to show distance.

However, some style guides recommend “further” for distances that are figurative, such as the distance between two ideas.

When you’re unsure whether farther or further is the correct choice, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid mistakes.

Is it look no further or farther?

According to some style guides, look no further is better than look no farther (e.g., Students who need a quiet place to study should look no further than the library”).

“Further” usually refers to distances that are figurative rather than literal.”

“Farther” usually describes distances that are literal (e.g., “We walked farther and saw a hawk’s nest”).

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using words like further and farther correctly.

Is it further along or farther along?

Further along and farther along are both correct ways to say “to a more advanced point.”

Some style guides recommend “farther” for physical distances (e.g., “As Sean hiked farther along the trail, he noticed more wildlife”) and “further” for literal distances (e.g., “As the semester moved further along, the students became more confident”).

A QuillBot Grammar Check can also help ensure you’re using further or farther correctly.

Is it farthest or furthest?

Farthest and furthest are both correct superlative adjectives that mean “most distant.” They are closely related to the adjectives farther and further.

Some style guides suggest that “farthest” is a better word for geographic distances (e.g., “During track practice, Gayle ran the farthest of anyone else on the team”).

When you’re uncertain about whether to use farthest or furthest, a QuillBot Grammar Check can help you avoid mistakes.

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Nicole Routh, M.Ed

Nicole has a master’s in English Education and detailed expertise in writing and grammar instruction. She’s taught college writing courses and written handbooks that empowered students worldwide.