Farther vs Further

[schoolman]

Honeslty, I can't get a difference between 'farther' and 'further'.
Thanks for your help!!!

[sheena55ro]

Honeslty, I can't get a difference between 'farther' and 'further'.
Thanks for your help!!!

far - farther - the farthest
-further - the furthest

Farther and further are the comparative forms of "far"

farther is used only for distance.
e.g. That village is farther than the village I live in.
That`s the farthest city ....

further means "additionally", "supplimentary"

e.g. I need further details
I received further information / data on this problem.

Further can be used as a verb ,as well.

It means : to help the progress of, to advance
e.g. You can further on with this matter though I don`t think it`s necessary.


Regards,

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

Honeslty, I can't get a difference between 'farther' and 'further'.
Thanks for your help!!!

There is no difference, but further is often preferred because farther sounds exactly like father.

[sheena55ro]

Here are some more explanations on this topic. If you are going to take an FCE exam [ or others] you undoubtedly should know the difference between these two words:

The ability to use farther and further correctly helps make your writing clear and intended meaning more apparent. Many people use these two words interchangeably, thinking there is no difference between them. There definitely is a difference. By understanding this difference, you can improve your writing skills.
What is the Difference?
Farther applies to actual, physical distance. On the other hand, further applies to metaphorical distance.

Ex: I travel farther, and I study a subject further.

“Farther”
Farther refers to physical or geographical distance. Here are some examples of proper use of this word.

Ex: We are farther from El Paso than I thought.
Ex: She went farther away from her family than she had gone before.
Ex: My new apartment is farther from my office than my old apartment.

Memory Cue
Use farther if you can substitute the word with more miles.

“Further"
Further refers to time, quantity, or degree. In other words, further indicates a continuation or extension of anything else other than distance; the word relates to more abstract references. Further is another way of saying “additional.” Here are some examples of correct use of further.


Ex: Prices will likely drop further next year.
Ex: I don’t want to discuss this topic further.
Ex: I have to look further into the matter later.
Ex: The subject calls for further study.


Regards,

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

Here are some more explanations on this topic. If you are going to take an FCE exam [ or others] you undoubtedly should know the difference between these two words:
The ability to use farther and further correctly helps make your writing clear and intended meaning more apparent. Many people use these two words interchangeably, thinking there is no difference between them. There definitely is a difference.

But when enough people use them interchangeably it is obviously fine to use them interchangeably, and this a very recent idea - that one should believe that there is a distinction between the two.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/f/f0043200.html

[sheena55ro]

This is not a very recent idea ,Vlad, and mostly ,this is not my idea. As an ESL teacher I have to state the difference between the two adjectives because some of my students are going to take an FCE exam and, so, they are supposed to know exactly the difference.

e.g. I need ---- information.

a] further
b] farther

The correct answer one should choose is [a]

Am I wrong? I would like to see some experts`advice.

Thank you for your reply in advance.


All the best

[svartnik]

There is no difference, but further is often preferred because farther sounds exactly like father.

Farther is used in physical sense (distance), while further used in either physical or imaginary one.

sink further (not farther) into depression, further (not farther) education... .

[Fazzu]

e.g. I need ---- information.
a] further
b] farther
The correct answer one should choose is [a]

I have chosen [a] too.And I confess that 'farther' sounds exactly like 'father'.

[Avalon]

svartnik and sheena are absolutely right...and as far as I know, further can be used for both distance and additional whereas farther can only mean distance...

[sheena55ro]

I have chosen [a] too.And I confess that 'farther' sounds exactly like 'father'.

It does not matter how farther sounds like. The problem is that you have to choose the grammatically correct answer, especially in a written paper. The two words we have talked about cannot be confused. Sometimes the difference is slight but other time the difference is quite obvious.

e.g. I need ----information.
The right answer is only "further" and not "farther".


Regards,