272　farther和further

① farther和further都是far的比较级，意为“更远，较远”，表示距离、方向、时间时，farther和further是可以换用的，可作形容词或副词。

The farther/further hill is about fifty miles away. 那座更远的山在大约50英里以外。

Shanghai is farther/further away than Suzhou from here. 上海离这里比苏州远。

He walked farther/further than I had expected. 他走得比我预料的远。

If you go farther/further，you'll see the teaching building. 你要是再往前走，就可以看到教学大楼了。

② further还可以表示“额外的，更进一步的/地”等意思，而farther则不可以。

No further sound came from the room. 再也没有声音从房间里传来。

Have you any further questions to ask？你有进一步的问题要问吗？

I'll say further that it has nothing to do with me. 我还要进一步说明，这件事与我无关。

We'll not discuss it further. 我们将不深入讨论这件事。

③ further可用作动词，意为“促进，推动”，而farther则不可。

the government's plans to further the cause of education 政府促进教育事业的计划