The words farther and further often cause confusion, and the mistake is even more noticeable when people try to use their verb forms, farthering and furthering.
Understanding the difference between “farther” and “further” can clarify your writing. Use “farther” for physical distances (e.g., “He walked farther than expected”). Use “further” for figurative or non-physical progress (e.g., “She furthered her career”). Mastering this distinction enhances both clarity and precision!
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In this article, we’ll explore the difference between farther and further, explain why farthering is generally incorrect, and discuss when and how to use furthering.
Understanding “Farther” and “Further”
Before diving into the mistake of using farthering, it’s essential to understand the basic difference between farther and further:
- Farther: Refers to physical distance.
- Further: Refers to figurative distance or advancement.
Examples:
- Farther:
- “Mia ran farther than Hannah during the marathon.”
- Scenario: Mia participated in a race with Hannah, and she covered a greater physical distance.
- Further:
- “We need to discuss this matter further before making a decision.”
- Scenario: Mia and Hannah are discussing a project, and they need to advance their discussion before making a final decision.
Why “Farthering” is Incorrect
The term farthering does not exist in standard English grammar because farther is generally used as an adjective or adverb, not a verb. You might see further used as a verb (as in furthering), but farther remains limited to describing physical distance.
- Farther refers to measurable, physical space, and it doesn’t make sense to convert this into a verb like “farthering.”
- Further, on the other hand, can work as a verb because it implies progress or continuation, which can be advanced.
Incorrect Example of “Farthering”:
- “He is farthering his career.”
- This is incorrect because farther should not be turned into a verb. In this case, furthering is the correct form.
Using “Furthering” Correctly
Furthering is the correct form when you’re talking about advancing or promoting something. It’s a verb derived from further, and it’s used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
Examples of “Furthering”:
- Career Advancement: “She is furthering her education by taking online courses.”
- Scenario: Hannah decides to take additional classes to enhance her qualifications for future career opportunities.
- Developing an Idea: “We are furthering the project by introducing new technology.”
- Scenario: Mia and her team are working on a project, and they’ve decided to enhance it by integrating advanced technology.
- Progressing a Cause: “The charity is focused on furthering education for underprivileged children.”
- Scenario: Mia’s non-profit organization is working on programs aimed at improving access to education for disadvantaged kids.
- Advancing a Relationship: “They are furthering their relationship by moving in together.”
- Scenario: After dating for years, Mia and her partner are taking the next step in their relationship by living together.
- Pushing Forward a Discussion: “We need to focus on furthering the conversation about climate change.”
- Scenario: In a meeting about environmental policies, Mia emphasizes the importance of continuing the conversation to raise awareness.
Difference Between “Farther” and “Further”
| Word | Type | Definition | Examples |
| Farther | Adjective/Adverb | Refers to physical distance. | “Mia ran farther than Hannah.” |
| Further | Adjective/Verb/Adverb | Refers to figurative distance or advancement. | “We need to discuss this further.” / “She is furthering her career.” |
Common Mistakes
- Using “Farther” for Figurative Distance:
- Incorrect: “We need to take this conversation farther.”
- Correct: “We need to take this conversation further.”
- Incorrectly Using “Farthering”:
- Incorrect: “He is farthering his business.”
- Correct: “He is furthering his business.”
How to Avoid This Common Mistake
Here are some tips to remember the correct usage of further and farther, and to avoid the nonexistent verb “farthering”:
- Remember Physical vs. Figurative:
- Use farther for physical distance.
- Use further for figurative distance or advancement.
- Only Use “Further” as a Verb:
- If you want to express progress or advancement, always use further and its verb form, furthering.
- Farther is not a verb, so farthering is always incorrect.
- Mnemonic Devices:
- Think of “far” in farther as relating to something physically “far away.”
- Associate “fur” in further with figurative or advancement ideas like pushing something further in progress or thought.
- Check Your Context:
- Before using either word, ask yourself: Am I talking about a physical distance (use farther) or am I advancing a concept or idea (use further)?
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between farther and further is essential to avoiding mistakes in your writing and speech. Remember that farther is only used for physical distance, while further can refer to both figurative distance and progression. Additionally, furthering is the correct verb form when you’re talking about advancing or pushing something forward, and farthering should never be used.
By practicing these rules, you can avoid common grammar mistakes and improve your clarity in communication.
