What is the difference.
He threw the ball farther.
He threw the ball further.
????
[OP]
Member
What is the difference.
He threw the ball farther.
He threw the ball further.
????
Measure twice, cut three times, start over. Repeat as necessary.
Contributor
From Merriam-Webster - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farther
usage Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used <our techniques can be further refined>. Further is also used as a sentence modifier <further, the workshop participants were scarcely optimistic — L. B. Mayhew>, but farther is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning of distance <the farther shore> and further the meaning of addition <needed no further invitation>
Member
Disclaimer: I am not an English major, and I am not inclined to memorize the definition.
The "boiled-down" version I have always used is:
Farther --> physical distance (The root being far. As in, "You threw the ball farther.")
Further --> metaphorical distance (As in, further your career, etc.)
Todd
Member
"FURther"Originally Posted by Todd Willhoit
As in what you can buy the wife when you get that promotion on furthering your career.
Dave J
Forums: Where all too often, logic is the first casualty.
As in; I'll bet this thread goes farther as we discuss this further. If you want some word fun ask 5 people the correct use of 'effect' versus 'affect' . . . . 5 different answers are almost guaranteed.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Member
...and enquire and inquire.
Dave J
Forums: Where all too often, logic is the first casualty.
Member
Flammable and inflammable...
The problem with education in the School of Hard Knocks is that by the time you're educated, you're too old to do anything.
Member
This brings up other thoughts about contradictions in the English language:
My house burned DOWN or maybe it burned UP.
Your turn lights ON and OFF but when they fail they are OUT.
You drive on a PARKway and park on a DRIVEway.
When you load goods on a ship it is CARgo but on a truck it is a SHIPment.
And the George Carlin question about PREBOARDING an airplane. Do you board before you board?
Contributor
And of course Blackberries are Red when they're Green
Confidence: The feeling you experience before you fully understand the situation
Member
... and then there are business names with second meanings. Three from my area:
Amigone Funeral Home (a local chain with 15 locations)
Muck Motors (Ford dealership)
Tinney Cadillac (former auto dealership)
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