This week we answer a question from Sophia. She writes:
今天我们回答来自索菲亚的问题。她写道:
What is the difference between "farther" and "further?" - Sophia
“farther” 和 “further”的区别是什么?
Dear Sophia, This is a good question.
亲爱的索菲亚,这是一个很好的问题。
It is easy to get the two terms mixed up. They both deal with distance.
这两个词很容易搞混。 它们都是跟距离有关。
The word "farther" has to do with an actual, physical distance -- one that can be measured.
“Farther”一词与实际的物理距离有关,可以测量。
"Further" can have several meanings, but they are likely to deal with ideas, not a physical distance.
“Further”可以有多种含义,但是它们可能处理的是想法,而不是物理距离。
We will look at "farther" first. It can be used as an adjective.
让我们先看看“farther”。它可以当做形容词来使用。
For example, make believe you and a friend are walking to a restaurant.
例如,假设你和一个朋友正走着去餐厅。
"Sophia," she says, "Are we anywhere near that eatery you always talk about? I am just so hungry!"
她说:“索菲亚,你总是提起的那个餐厅在这附近吗?我好饿啊!”
"Don't worry," you say. "We are almost there!
你回答说:“别急,我们快到了。
My favorite place is a little farther down the road, past all the fast food restaurants. Only five more minutes!"
我喜欢的那家餐厅比较远,还需穿过这条街上的几个快餐店。再走5分钟就到了!”
"Farther" can also be used as an adverb, like in the following example, well known to parents taking a trip with young children.
“Farther”也可以用作副词,像下面的示例一样,对于带小孩旅行的父母来说是众所周知的。
Mommy! Are we there yet? How much farther do we have to go until we get there?!
妈咪! 我们到了吗? 我们要走多远才能到达那里?!
In both examples, the word "farther" relates to an actual physical distance.
在两个示例中,单词“farther”均指实际的物理距离。
In the first case, it is a five-minute walk.
第一种情况是步行五分钟。
In the second example, there may be many more hours in the car. Good luck, parents!
在第二个示例中,可能还需再开几个小时车。祝父母们好运!
Now, "further" can be used as an adverb, adjective or a verb.
现在,“更多”可以用作副词,形容词或动词。
None of these have a measurable distance.
这些都没有可测量的距离的意思。
Let's take each one.
让我们一个个来说。
As an adverb, "further" means "to a greater extent," such as in this sentence:
作为副词,“further”的意思是“在更大程度上”,例如在此句子中:
The scientists are looking further into the research.
科学家们正在做进一步的研究。
When used as an adjective, "further" means "more or additional."
当用作形容词时,“further”表示“更多的或此外的”。
Further research is needed before we have the answer.
在找到答案之前,需要进一步的研究。
"Further" can also be used as a verb.
“Further”也可以用作动词。
It means "to help the progress of something."
它的意思是“促进某事的发展”。
An example is the following sentence:
下面举个例子:
Learning English may further your career.
学习英语可以促进你的事业。
How can you remember the difference between "further" and "farther?"
如何记住“further”和“farther”之间的区别?
Some grammar experts say it helps to think of the word far in "farther", showing you are talking about distance.
一些语法专家说,想想“farther”中“far”这个单词会有所帮助,表明你在谈论距离。
We hope our Ask a Teacher program helps you further your understanding of American English!
我们希望我们的“名师答疑”可以帮助您进一步了解美国英语!
I'm Jill Robbins.
我是吉尔·罗宾斯。