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further/farther

Posted by Lotg (OZ) on September 06, 2004

In Reply to: "Further" posted by R. Berg on September 06, 2004

: : Hello,
: : It's true that "further" when pronounced with "far-ther" means physically further? And, when pronounced "further" means it could be mentally further?

: : please forgive my english at expressing things a bit complicated..

: These are two different words, with different spellings. In the most correct usage, "farther" means at a greater physical distance. "Further" is less literal. The distinction is often ignored, and most English speakers probably don't even know about it.

You're right. I didn't realise that. But what then is the difference between 'further away' and 'farther away'? Is there one? Is it even correct to say 'farther away'? Farther always sounds more formal, or more old-fashioned to me. In fact 'farther' sounds softer, really it's a more romantic word, 'further' more functional. 'Farther' isn't something you hear people say very often any more - here anyway.

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