Does it matter whether we use further or farther? i.e. The house was much further/farther than we had imagined.

As this style/grammar guide will tell you, "Though very few people bother with the difference these days, there is a traditional distinction: farther applies to physical distance, further to metaphorical distance. You travel farther, but pursue a topic further. Don't get upset if you can't keep it straight; no one will notice."

Although there is a good amount of dissention, the general agreement is that farther should be used for physical distances and further should be used in non-physical cases of advancement.

For example:

The house was much farther than we imagined.
He was much further in his studies than we imagined.

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I need to learn to type faster or something . How did Ewood manage to sneak in there between when I read and when I posted?

[This message was edited by methos5000 on 05-06-03 at 04:13 PM.]

farther denotes phsycial distance...except if you're a red neck....

then it's a "fur-piece"!

just a little redneck language lesson here:
Far means "fire"
Fur means "far"
so what means "fur"??? Coon! LOL

Thanks guys.


LOL @ Georgia!