further than

USAGE SUMMARY

"further than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to compare two objects with regards to their distance or degree. For example: "The river runs further than ever before this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They saw further than you.

The New York Times - Sports

Look no further than politics.

The Economist

Look no further than Syria.

The New Yorker

That goes further than talent.

The New York Times - Sports

Some went further than talk.

The New York Times

I'd go further than that.

The New Yorker

Look no further than psychology.

The Economist

But they clearly went further than that.

The Economist

But it goes much further than this.

The New York Times

Romania has gone further than Serbia.

Independent

But Opal took it further than most.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "further than" to compare distances, both literal and figurative. For example, "His influence extended further than anyone anticipated."

Common error

Remember that "farther" generally refers to physical distance, while "further" refers to metaphorical or non-physical distances. While some sources accept their interchangeability, maintaining the distinction can improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further than" functions primarily as a comparative, indicating that something extends beyond a specific limit or degree. Ludwig AI identifies numerous examples in news and media, demonstrating its role in comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "further than" is a versatile comparative used to indicate exceeding a limit or degree, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and frequently used across varied contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can sometimes be confused with "farther than", maintaining the distinction enhances precision. Consider alternatives like "beyond" or "more than" depending on the desired nuance. Ultimately, "further than" is a valuable tool for effective communication in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

A more general term for comparison, applicable to quantity or degree.

beyond

Simpler preposition indicating something extends past a limit.

past

Indicates movement or extension beyond a physical or metaphorical point.

exceeding

Implies surpassing a specific threshold or expectation.

surpassing

Implies exceeding in quality or degree.

in excess of

More formal way to say 'more than'.

outstripping

Indicates exceeding, often in a competitive context.

to a greater extent than

A longer, more formal way to express exceeding a limit.

over and above

Emphasizes exceeding what is expected or required.

transcending

Suggests exceeding limitations or boundaries.

FAQs

How is "further than" different from "farther than"?

"Farther than" typically refers to physical distance, while "further than" often indicates metaphorical or abstract distance. However, in modern usage, "further than" can sometimes be used for physical distance as well.

When should I use "more than" instead of "further than"?

Use "more than" when comparing quantities or amounts, while "further than" is suitable for distances or degrees of something. For example, "He has more than enough money" versus "He walked further than he planned".

Can "further than" be used to compare abstract concepts?

Yes, "further than" is commonly used to compare abstract concepts, such as "Her understanding of the subject went further than mine".

What are some alternatives to "further than" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "beyond", "exceeding", or "to a greater extent than" for a more sophisticated tone.