Language Arts "Farther" and "further" are very similar and often used interchangeably by people who don't understand the differences. This article will help tell the difference between "farther" and "further" and offer you examples of when to use each.

To understand farther and further, we need to go back to their source and also learn something of their history. So we will begin, not with the words themselves, but with their source: far.

Far

Far can be an adjective or an adverb. As an adjective, far means “being at a distance.”

For example:

Grampa's house is far from here.

As an adverb, far means “to or from or at a great distance” or “to a great degree” (among other things. An example is:

Ruth has become far more compassionate than she once was.

Like any other adjective or adverb, far has comparative and superlative forms. The interesting point about far is that it has two choices for each.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
far (adjective)	farther further	farthest furthest
far (adverb)	farther further	farthest furthest

Farther is pronounced /FAR thur/ and further is pronounced /FUR thur/. And now, it's time to introduce the historical material.

The History of Farther and Further

Apparently further entered the English language prior to the twelfth century, at least two hundred years before farther. And for quite along time, they were used completely interchangeably, that is, until recently. A distinction has been evolving for some time that works differently in the adverbial use than in the adjectival use, but not everyone agrees on what the distinction is. Here's the scoop:

With regard to the comparative adjective, one source oipines that farther seems to be becoming preferred for referring to distance, while further is reserved for the concept of addition. Here are examples:

I'll race you to the farther of the two trees. Go!

If there are no further comments, that I will adjourn the meeting, and we can head to the restaurant for dinner.

With regard to the comparative adverb, the same source says that farther and further are interchangeable when distance is being referenced, but that further should be employed for other uses. Here are examples:

If we want a chance to see the hummingbird, we will have to travel farther into the rain forest.

OR

If we want a chance to see the hummingbird, we will have to travel further into the rain forest.

BUT

To fit a pool table into the rec room, we will have to make further changes to our plans.

Another source, however, is of the opinion that in all cases, both adjectival and adverbial, physical distance should be referred to by farther and figurative distance or addition should be reserved for further. By these lights, you can still say:

I'll race you to the farther of the two trees. Go!

AND

If there are no further comments, that I will adjourn the meeting, and we can head to the restaurant for dinner.

AND

To fit a pool table into the rec room, we will have to make further changes to our plans.

BUT you must say:

If we want a chance to see the hummingbird, we will have to travel farther into the rain forest.

NOT

If we want a chance to see the hummingbird, we will have to travel further into the rain forest.

Since the more stringent second take may be easier to remember since you can always associate farther with distance, whether it is a comparative adverb or a comparative adjective, and since it does not violate the first take, you may prefer to follow the second guide in order not to get into situations in which you are judged to be in the wrong by someone who views him- or herself as the grammar police. Of course, if you work with a style guide or set dictionary, you should check there to make sure that you are following the advice given there.