Friday, June 6, 2008

"Farther" and "Further"

Levels of Distractibility: Who Cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: I always get "further" and "farther" mixed up. I know that one means distance and the other means additional, but which is which?

Answer: When I'm talking I mix them up also. They sound too much alike. You're right: "farther" means distance: "He walked farther down the hall." "Further" means "additional," as in "I have nothing further to say." Keeping them straight in writing shouldn't be a problem. You can always look them up again. But speaking.... Think of the FAR in "farther."

Rating of Distractibility: In writing, (***). In speaking, (**).

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