farther

USAGE SUMMARY

"farther" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe distance, either literal or figurative, as in the following sentence: My goal is to get a promotion this year, pushing my career even farther towards the top.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farther north, a blizzard warning was issued for Boston from Monday night through early Wednesday.

The Guardian

I try not to think about the race and how much farther I've got to go – but I'm definitely checking in with my body to see what can I do right now to make this work the best way I can.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blackwood's stories assert a deeper reality which, like the spectral skater, is always just "a little farther on, a little higher" than humans can grasp.

The Guardian - Books

What profession is farther removed from the controversy than college-football analysis, which entails watching, dissecting, and describing on-field plays?" 10) The Dark Prince If you love sports journalism, or want to be a sports journalist, read this.

The Guardian - Sport

farther and farthest are the comparative and superlative of far as in distance (eg farther away, the farthest point north).

The Guardian

Ten years later, insurgents are still coming down out of the mountains from Pakistan and the Shah-i-Kot Valley, gathering at a shrine in the foothills and using the plain around Rahman Khel as a transit route to head to the fighting farther west.

The New York Times

At this point it seemed probable that the Dutch would go on to burnish the scoreline even farther.

The Guardian - Sport

So thanks to CBS and the availability of the Horowitz' decision, we are much farther along in knowing just what Rodriguez was accused and found guilty of in August and in the 12 days of appeal proceedings between October and November.

The Guardian - Sport

Connected to farther back positions by underground utility tunnels, the Ukrainian troops in the airport – popularly known as "cyborgs" for their resilience – have held the bottom floors of the main terminal even as rebel fighters have taken over the top floor and surrounding areas.

The Guardian

Liberal politicians such as ElBaradei have rarely been farther from influence.

The Guardian

Utopia is farther than ever in Once there came a man.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical distances, use "farther". For abstract or metaphorical extensions, consider "further".

Common error

Avoid using "farther" when you mean "further" in non-physical contexts. "Further" is used for abstract advancements or additional information; "farther" refers to measurable distances. For example, do not say "I need to research this farther" when you mean "I need to research this further."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "farther" is as a comparative adverb, modifying verbs to indicate a greater distance. It is used to describe that something is located at a greater physical distance or extends a greater distance than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this through example sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "farther" is a comparative adverb used to indicate physical distance, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's crucial to differentiate it from "further", which applies to non-physical or abstract contexts. Usage is frequent in neutral registers like news and media, while less frequent in academic and encyclopedic contexts. Remember to use "farther" only for describing physical distances. According to Ludwig AI, the examples provided are correct and suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further away

Synonymous, but 'further' can sometimes refer to metaphorical distance.

more distant

Emphasizes the state of being at a greater distance.

at a greater distance

Provides a more descriptive way to specify the increased distance.

more remote

Highlights the relative inaccessibility due to distance.

beyond

Suggests moving past a specific point or limit.

more ahead

Implies a position in front or in advance.

more removed

Indicates a state of being more distant or separate.

to a greater extent

Shifts from physical to abstract progression or degree.

at a remove

Highlights the separation or detachment caused by distance.

more advanced

Focuses on progress or advancement rather than physical distance.

FAQs

When should I use "farther" instead of "further"?

Use "farther" when referring to physical distance. For example, "The store is "farther away" than I thought." Use "further" for non-physical or metaphorical distances, such as "I need to look "further into" this issue."

What is the difference between "farther" and "further"?

"Farther" specifically relates to physical distance (e.g., "How much "farther do we have to go"?"), whereas "further" is used for non-physical distances or to signify 'more' or 'additional' (e.g., "I need to look into this "further details"").

Can "farther" be used in abstract contexts?

While "farther" primarily refers to physical distance, it is generally more appropriate to use "further" in abstract contexts. Consider using terms like "more advanced" or "greater extent" instead.

Is it correct to use "farther" to mean "additional"?

No, it is not correct. "Farther" should only be used to describe physical distance. Use "further" when you mean "more" or "additional".