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Farther vs further

Farther = physical distance. Further = degree, time or “more”.

farther

physical, measurable distance

Test: Could you measure it in miles or metres?

The station is farther than it looks.
She ran farther today.

further

figurative distance, extent, or “additional”

Test: Can you swap in “more” or “to a greater extent”?

Let’s discuss this further.
Further details will follow.

FARther has FAR in it, for physical distance.

Test yourself

Five sentences. Apply the test above to each one before you pick.

How much _____ is the hotel?
Nothing could be _____ from the truth.
Call us if you need _____ help.
Our car can go _____ on a full tank.
The project is _____ along than planned.

Pick an answer for each sentence.

When either works

For physical distance, “further” is also correct, especially in British English. The reverse is not true: “farther” for “more” (“farther details”) is wrong. If unsure, “further” is never wrong for distance; “farther” is only right for distance.

Catch it automatically

The grammar checker flags common mix-ups like this one by looking at the words around them, and the sentence checker can explain any sentence you’re unsure about.

Questions people ask

Is it “further notice” or “farther notice”?

“Until further notice.” It means “until more notice is given”.

Can “further” be a verb?

Yes: “to further your career” means to advance it. “Farther” has no verb use.

Other grammar guides

Affect vs effectAffect is usually the verb. Effect is usually the noun.Its vs it’sIt’s = it is / it has. Its = belonging to it.Your vs you’reYou’re = you are. Your = belonging to you.Their, there and they’reTheir = belonging to them. There = place / “there is”. They’re = they are.Advice vs adviseAdvice is the noun (rhymes with “nice”). Advise is the verb (rhymes with “prize”).Then vs thanThan compares things. Then tells you when.Whose vs who’sWho’s = who is / who has. Whose = belonging to whom.Principal vs principlePrinciple = a rule or belief. Principal = main, a head person, or a loan amount.Lose vs looseLose = misplace or not win (rhymes with “shoes”). Loose = not tight (rhymes with “goose”).Who vs whomWho does the action (he). Whom receives it (him).I.e. vs e.g.E.g. = for example (some of many). I.e. = that is (the exact thing).Everyday vs every dayEveryday = ordinary (an adjective). Every day = each day.Complement vs complimentCompliment = praise. Complement = something that completes or suits.Into vs in toInto = movement inside or a change. In to = “in” (part of a verb) + “to”.Lay vs lieYou lay something down. You lie down yourself.Fewer vs lessFewer for countable things. Less for uncountable amounts.Accept vs exceptAccept = receive or agree to. Except = apart from.To, too and twoTo = direction or verb marker. Too = also / excessively. Two = 2.