Words are powerful when used correctly and appropriately. They can also get you in awkward situations if you do not use them carefully and properly. 

Don’t forget to take the QUIZ and write your answers in the comments section. 50% of STEEM earned by this post will go to the first comment with correct answers. The other 50% of STEEM will be donated to my friend Richmond ( @am0nch ) to help him in his road to recovery from the accident. See his story here in this post.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an English Native Speaker nor an expert in English language. What I write here are all from experience and research. If you feel I am out of line or say the wrong things, please alert me in the comments. To this effect, I am not immuned to these confusing words myself and this series is as much as an education for me as to those who read these blog posts.

PHOTO SOURCE: LINKEDIN

Further VS. Farther

PHOTO CREDIT: NEWYORKER

There is a very thin line as to how the use of these words in writing or in conversation. The thin line is as follows:

Further is used to refer to something of a greater amount. Something that is not physical like time or speech.

Example 1: We have to finish the project with no further delays.

Example 2: Before you say anything further, I must tell you a secret.

Farther is used to refer to a greater physical distance. It is a comparative form of the word far, meaning “more far”.

Example 1: The farther field is planted in corn. 

Example 2: My feet are sore I could go no farther.

Let’s Have a Quiz

1. The mall is no _______________________ to Jane’s house than to mine.
2. The postal office is closed until _______________________ notice due to flooding.
3. My mother said we would discuss the problem _____________________ when we got home.
4. She would not go one step _______________________ until she had a drink of water.
5. The committee will have _______________________ meetings on the new law.
6. Mario went _______________________ down the road to blow some steam.
7. Countries that are _______________________ away from the equator are usually colder.
8. If Joseph has any _______________________ ideas on the project, he should tell the teacher.
9. It became darker and more frightening the ______________________ they went in the forest.
10. My decision ______________________ was complicated by uncertainty about the future.

I hope we learned something today. See you in the next confusing words! If you like this series, please follow @cjclaro and upvote and resteem ;-)