we could hardly move a step futher/farther.

Question

After the tiring journey, we could hardly move a step furher/farther.

A few steps further/farther, we'll get to our destination.

Do both further and farther fit in the above two samples? If not, why not? Thanks.

Hoa Thai · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I don't see any problem with your sentence. Again, it depends on what you mean (farther for physical distance vs. further for time / degree)

Best,
Hoa Thai

Yoong Liat · Answer

Hoa ThaiHi,

I don't see any problem with your sentence. Again, it depends on what you mean (farther for physical distance vs. further for time / degree)

Best,
Hoa Thai

farther and further both refer to physical distance. In this sense they are synonyms.

AlaTran · Answer

They are very close in meaning. Farther generally means more distant in especially space or time but further means growth and addition.

Hoa Thai · Answer

Yoong Liat
Hoa ThaiHi,

I don't see any problem with your sentence. Again, it depends on what you mean (farther for physical distance vs. further for time / degree)

Best,
Hoa Thai

farther and further both refer to physical distance. In this sense they are synonyms.

Hi Yoong Liat,

That is interesting! Maybe the two words converged in meaning but I haven't caught up to the fact.
A simple google search "further vs. farther" still seems to indicate a subtle difference between the two still exists (e.g., http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/pairs1.html). That said, I did notice another site, http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/76-451/watts.html, gives an indepth discussion on the same subject. I felt a bit overwhelmed with the discussion; but for you it could be as clear as day and night. If you have time to visit the site, please share with me your analysis.

Thanks,
Hoa Thai

Yankee · Answer

There is also a good usage note in the American Heritage Dictionary:
farther vs further

Yoong Liat · Answer

Hi Ho Thai

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 'farther' is the synonym of 'further' in the sense of distance. I had walked farther/further than I had realised. A couple of English usage books also say thay mean the same in this respect.

Best wishes

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, my dear friends.

Got it!

Anonymous · Answer

Are you illiterate?

we could hardly move a step futher/farther.

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