What is the difference between farther and further?

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What is the difference between farther and further?

The words "farther" and "further" are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct meanings and usage in certain contexts. The main difference between these two words lies in their usage as adverbs and adjectives.

Firstly, let's discuss the word "farther." It is primarily used as a comparative adverb or adjective to indicate physical distance. "Farther" is used when referring to a measurable distance that can be physically measured or observed. For example, "He ran farther than his friend" or "The store is farther away than I thought." In these cases, "farther" is used to compare two distances or to describe a greater physical distance.

On the other hand, "further" is primarily used as an adverb or adjective to indicate a greater extent, degree, or time. It is often used in a metaphorical or abstract sense rather than referring to physical distance. For instance, "She wanted to further her education" or "We need to discuss this matter further." In these examples, "further" is used to express the idea of advancing or progressing in a non-physical sense.

It is important to note that "further" can also be used as a verb, meaning to promote or advance something. For example, "He furthered his career by taking additional courses." In this case, "furthered" is the past tense of the verb "further."

To summarize, "farther" is used to compare physical distances, while "further" is used to indicate a greater extent, degree, or time in a non-physical sense. However, it is worth mentioning that in some cases, especially in British English, the distinction between these two words is not strictly followed, and they are used interchangeably.