comparison
Choose farther for physical distance and further for abstract extension, with modern usage notes.
Farther usually refers to measurable physical distance. Further usually refers to extent, degree, or additional discussion.
Many style guides accept further for both meanings in casual writing, but farther still improves precision for literal distance.
Use this quick matrix to compare core words in this guide and jump directly into deeper lookup pages.
further
More distant; relatively distant.
farther
Alternative form of further. (See also the usage notes at further.)
distance
An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
more
comparative degree of many: in greater number. (Used for a discrete quantity.)
Opposite direction words
Example sentences pulled from our lexical corpus to show natural context.
further
You will find it stated a few pages further on.
farther
The school is farther than the station.
distance
There is no distance on this earth as far away as yesterday.
more
I always liked mysterious characters more.
You often can, but farther is clearer when distance is literal.
Use further for recommendations, scope, and next steps.