Farther / further

As a rule of thumb, use farther to indicate physical distance and further to indicate metaphorical, or figurative, distance. For example:

1. How much farther is the sun than the moon?
2. The product needs further testing.

Sometimes the rule of thumb doesn’t work because it’s hard to decide whether the distance is physical or not. Luckily, in such ambiguous cases it doesn’t matter which word you choose.

1. How much farther do you plan to drive tonight?
2. I just can’t go any further.
3. Do you have any further plans for adding on to the building?
4. That’s a lot farther than I want to carry this heavy suitcase!
5. The farther that I travel down this road, the further behind schedule I get.
6. How much further do you intend to take this legal matter?
7. It’s not that much farther to the gas station.
8. How much farther do I have to run, coach?

Decide whether you have to use farther or further:

1. How much _______ do you plan to drive tonight?
2. I just can’t go any _______.
3. Do you have any _______ plans for adding on to the building?
4. That’s a lot _______ than I want to carry this heavy suitcase!
5. The _______ that I travel down this road, the _______ behind schedule I get.
6. How much _______ do you intend to take this legal matter?
7. It’s not that much _______ to the gas station.
8. How much _______ do I have to run, coach?