Farther, Further
“Thomas the Apostle went east, though what is now Syria and Iran and, historians believe, on down to southern India. He traveled farther than even the indefatigable Paul, whose journeys encompassed much of the Mediterranean. Of all the Apostles, Thomas represents most profoundly the missionary zeal associated with the rise of Christianity—the drive to travel to the ends of the known world to preach a new creed.” –National Geographic
Further and farther are used to refer to distance in space, direction, or time both as an adjective and adverb but further differs from farther which is, further also means more.
Further (adjective) education is important, some travel further to achieve it.
Further (verb): to promote something, to support, or aid, or help the progress of something, someone: to further somebody’s interests, to further the cause of peace.
Furtherance (n) means advancement of somebody’s interests, or a cause.
Furthermore (adverb) means in addition, moreover.
Furthermost (adjective) means most distant in space, time, furthest
Furthest or farthest also refer to distance.
Farther as an adjective means more distant things in terms of space, direction, time, degree.
Iran is farther from India than Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal are.
Farther functions as an adjective and adverb; a comparative of the adjective ‘far’- far, farther, farthest: most distance in space, direction, time; longest, most extended in space.
The farthest planet to Earth is Neptune (2.7 – 2.9 billion miles away).
Farther as an adverb is a comparative of the adverb ‘far’: at or to a greater distance in space or time; more remote.
Can we go any farther without resting?
Far afield & farther afield is an idiom.
Farther as the superlative of far (adverb) refers to the greatest distance in space or time, most remote, to the highest degree or extent.
Who among the class is the farthest advanced student?
Further is now more common that farther in British English. They can both be used in relation to distance: I can throw much further/farther than you.
Bristol is further/farther than Oxford.
In US English farther is usually used in relation to distance.
“And in 1998, to further financial journalism, she (Marjorie Deane, died at the age of 94) set up a foundation in her name whose editorial internships and student grants are much sought after.” –The Economist
Farthing was once part of British coinage (one quarter of an old penny) which is no longer in use; yet ‘an idiom’ is formed of that word which is in usage meaning not care; give a farthing – not care at all.
A church-goer confessed to the priest: Oh Father, further troubles are on the way in my life but I have no courage to walk farther in life. My father (biological), never briefed me about life’s further hurdles, Father, bless me with stamina. I can’t walk farther…
Farther refers to most distance (space, direction, time): Iran is farther from India than Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal are. Farther is a comparative of the adjective ‘far’- far, farther, and farthest. Farther also refers to longest, and most extended in space. The farthest distance I have run is ten miles. Farther is a comparative of the adverb ‘far’: at or to a greater distance in space or time; more remote; to the highest degree or extent. Who ran the farthest?
NOTE: Further is now more common that farther in British English. They can both be used in relation to distance. Which means further and farther are used interchangeably in this sense (distance). Further and farther are used to refer to distance in space, direction, or time both as an adjective and adverb. Furthest or farthest refer to distance.
I can throw much further/farther than you. Bristol is further/farther than Oxford.
The farthest (or furthest) planet to Earth is Saturn. In US English farther is usually used in relation to distance.
FURTHER has another meaning which is more, to indicate addition. Further differs from farther in this sense. Further as verb means to promote something, to support, or aid, or help the progress of something, someone.
Are there any further questions, audience?
A College of Further Education will prepare a student for the University life.
To further the cause of peace is one of the objectives of the United Nations.
Furtherance (noun): advancement of somebody’s interests, a cause, etc
Furthermore (adverb): in addition, moreover
Furthermost (adjective): most distant in space, time, furthest
“Wading birds from Iceland and farther north that have finished nesting are beginning to appear here on their way south.” – The Times, 14 London 2011.
“And in 1998, to further financial journalism, she (Marjorie Deane, died at the age of 94) set up a foundation in her name whose editorial internships and student grants are much sought after.” – The Economist 11 October 2008.
In Tuition is IFL’s professional journal which includes regular features covering CPD, member stories and analysis of trends and developments in the further education and skills sector. – Institute for Learning’s In Tuition Issue 5 Summer 2011.
Let us walk farther…and burn more calories to stay fit, further!
