Farther, Further

Thomas the Apostle went east, though what is now Syria and Iran and, historians believe, on down to southern India.

He traveled farther than even the indefatigable Paul, whose journeys encompassed much of the Mediterranean.

Of all the Apostles, Thomas represents most profoundly the missionary zeal associated with the rise of Christianity—the drive to travel to the ends of the known world to preach a new creed.” –National Geographic

Further and farther are used to refer to distance in space, direction, or time both as an adjective and adverb but further differs from farther which is, further also means more.

Further (adjective) education is important, some travel further to achieve it. Further (verb): to promote something, to support, or aid, or help the progress of something, someone: to further somebody’s interests, to further the cause of peace.

Furtherance (n) means advancement of somebody’s interests, or a cause. Furthermore (adverb) means in addition, moreover. Furthermost (adjective) means most distant in space, time, furthest
Furthest or farthest also refer to distance.

Farther as an adjective means more distant things in terms of space, direction, time, degree. Iran is farther from India than Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal are.

Farther functions as an adjective and adverb; a comparative of the adjective ‘far’- far, farther, farthest: most distance in space, direction, time; longest, most extended in space.

The farthest planet to Earth is Neptune (2.7 – 2.9 billion miles away). Farther as an adverb is a comparative of the adverb ‘far’: at or to a greater distance in space or time; more remote.

Can we go any farther without resting?

Far afield & farther afield is an idiom.

Farther as the superlative of far (adverb) refers to the greatest distance in space or time, most remote, to the highest degree or extent.

Who among the class is the farthest advanced student?

Further is now more common that farther in British English. They can both be used in relation to distance: I can throw much further/farther than you.

Bristol is further/farther than Oxford.

In US English farther is usually used in relation to distance.

“And in 1998, to further financial journalism, she (Marjorie Deane, died at the age of 94) set up a foundation in her name whose editorial internships and student grants are much sought after.” –The Economist

Farthing was once part of British coinage (one quarter of an old penny) which is no longer in use; yet ‘an idiom’ is formed of that word which is in usage meaning not care; give a farthing – not care at all.

By: Kovuuri G Reddy