further vs. farther

Many writers are unsure of how and when to use the words further and farther. As well, some think these words are completely interchangeable, while others do not.

Here are some guidelines to help you deal with further and farther.

Use further

• as an adjective meaning "more" or "additional"
  • Do you have any further questions?
• as a verb meaning "to continue, encourage, foster or promote"
  • The loans program allows Canadians to further (continue) their education.
  • We must further (encourage, foster, promote) co-operation between our two countries.
• as an introductory adverb meaning "furthermore" or "in addition"
  • Further, I wish to congratulate our volunteers for their outstanding service to our community.
• as an adverb when referring to progress or figurative distance (not measurable in steps, inches, kilometres, etc.)
  • Jack took the IT courses he needed to help him go further in his career.

Use farther

• as an adjective meaning "more distant"
  • They sailed to the farther shore before heading back.
• as the comparative form of "far" when referring to distance
  • Port Elgin is farther east than we were told.
• as an adverb when referring to physical distance (measurable in steps, inches, kilometres, etc.)
  • How much farther can we travel on half a tank of gas?

NOTE: Most sources list farther and further as synonyms. However, they suggest using further in an abstract (or figurative) sense and farther in a physical sense. When choosing between further and farther, you need to consider whether the distance is physical or figurative. For example:

• I'm exhausted, I can't go any farther.
  [means I can't walk another step]
• I'm exhausted, I can't go any further.
  [means I can't do anything more]