The word "farther" is often misspelled as "further". While both words refer to distance, "farther" specifically denotes physical distance, while "further" can refer to both physical and metaphorical distances. The correct spelling of "farther" is /ˈfɑːðər/ (FAR-thuh), with the letter "a" pronounced as "ah" and the "th" sound represented by the IPA symbol /θ/. Remembering the phonetic transcription can help prevent confusion between "farther" and "further".
Farther is an adverb that refers to a greater physical or metaphorical distance in comparison to something mentioned or implied. It indicates a more extended or additional extent in space, time, or degree. Primarily used to describe relative distances, it expresses a point beyond a specified or previously mentioned position or location.
In a spatial context, farther implies moving or expanding in a direction that is more remote or distant from a previous landmark or reference point. It suggests an increased physical separation or extended boundary compared to what is already known, seen, or experienced. For instance, if one were to state, "The mountains are farther than the river," it means that the mountain range is located at a greater distance or occupies more space in comparison to the river.
Moreover, farther can also indicate progress in non-physical contexts such as time or degree. It denotes a higher level, increased extent, or deeper intensity with respect to a specific attribute or quality. For example, when someone says, "She has taken her career farther than anyone expected," it suggests that the individual has achieved a more advanced or successful position in their professional life, surpassing initial predictions or standards.
By summarizing its fundamental meaning, farther signifies a greater physical or metaphorical distance, expanded space, increased level, or extended extent beyond a referential point or condition.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "farther" comes from the Middle English word "further", which can be traced back to the Old English word "furþra". The Old English term "furþra" was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "furthera", meaning "progression" or "promotion". This Proto-Germanic word is also related to the Old High German word "furthera" and the Old Norse word "fyrri". Ultimately, the origin can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*per-", which means "forward" or "through".