Note: this post is meant for my student; pardon me for mentioning the obvious
'Farther' and 'further' are comparative terms -- how to choose which comparative form of 'far' to use?
First, it is very important to distinguish between literal and figurative meanings. Literal meaning refers to the dictionary definition, while figurative meaning refers to similar idea found in the literal meaning, but the meaning is applied somewhat differently. Let's have an example: 'box'. Dictionary meaning? In 3-D it usually refers to containers having six sides of rectangles or squares perpendicular to each other, or in 2-D, simply a square or a rectangle. Figurative use? 'Think out of the box'. Here we do not have a physical object or drawing of a 'box' as defined above. Here we are merely borrowing the idea: a box is usually rigid and containing/limiting something. Now apply this idea of rigidness and limitedness to the mind/thought: 'Think out of the box' simply means that one has to set no limit to imagination and be flexible; in other words, be creative. See how convenient it is to borrow meanings to apply in another situation? This technique is commonly called 'figures of speech', which we use heavily, consciously or otherwise, everyday. This makes language not only dynamic, but also interconnected.
Now let's see what are the literal and figurative meaning of 'far'?
Literally, 'farness' refers to the state of physical distance that is deemed great. Used figuratively, it can refer to other distances that are not physical, for instance, "How far is your revision?". In other words, it can refer to: extent, time, degree, stage, etc. You get the picture.
'Farther' is used when the farness is literal, while 'further' is used when the farness is figurative. That's all? Yes, that's all!
One final note though, be aware that 'further' is much more heavily used than 'farther'. Remember that figurative meaning borrows idea, so the meaning is more flexible and broader than literal meaning. Consequently, 'further' applies to broader set of situations due to its flexibility. For example, we always say 'further down the road'. You may ask: Isn't this clearly physical distance? Why isn't 'farther' used? Now, this is because the degree of 'down the road' can be either in distance or in time, or even both! So here we are not sure whether it is literal distance or otherwise, so more likely than not it is 'further'.
Nowadays, 'farther' is rarely used. From above, you have seen that even literal farness can be conveniently grouped under 'further'. Usually 'farther' is only used when you want to emphasise that the distance is literal distance.
So, when in doubt, use 'further'.
First, it is very important to distinguish between literal and figurative meanings. Literal meaning refers to the dictionary definition, while figurative meaning refers to similar idea found in the literal meaning, but the meaning is applied somewhat differently. Let's have an example: 'box'. Dictionary meaning? In 3-D it usually refers to containers having six sides of rectangles or squares perpendicular to each other, or in 2-D, simply a square or a rectangle. Figurative use? 'Think out of the box'. Here we do not have a physical object or drawing of a 'box' as defined above. Here we are merely borrowing the idea: a box is usually rigid and containing/limiting something. Now apply this idea of rigidness and limitedness to the mind/thought: 'Think out of the box' simply means that one has to set no limit to imagination and be flexible; in other words, be creative. See how convenient it is to borrow meanings to apply in another situation? This technique is commonly called 'figures of speech', which we use heavily, consciously or otherwise, everyday. This makes language not only dynamic, but also interconnected.
Now let's see what are the literal and figurative meaning of 'far'?
Literally, 'farness' refers to the state of physical distance that is deemed great. Used figuratively, it can refer to other distances that are not physical, for instance, "How far is your revision?". In other words, it can refer to: extent, time, degree, stage, etc. You get the picture.
'Farther' is used when the farness is literal, while 'further' is used when the farness is figurative. That's all? Yes, that's all!
One final note though, be aware that 'further' is much more heavily used than 'farther'. Remember that figurative meaning borrows idea, so the meaning is more flexible and broader than literal meaning. Consequently, 'further' applies to broader set of situations due to its flexibility. For example, we always say 'further down the road'. You may ask: Isn't this clearly physical distance? Why isn't 'farther' used? Now, this is because the degree of 'down the road' can be either in distance or in time, or even both! So here we are not sure whether it is literal distance or otherwise, so more likely than not it is 'further'.
Nowadays, 'farther' is rarely used. From above, you have seen that even literal farness can be conveniently grouped under 'further'. Usually 'farther' is only used when you want to emphasise that the distance is literal distance.
So, when in doubt, use 'further'.
3 comments:
---21st century teaching---
haha...yos-sensee =)
Love this explanation. *Thumbs up* =)
@yiying: thanks ^^
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