10 Pop Culture Grammar Mistakes Editors Absolutely Hate

Captain Marvel

This 2019 movie has the catchphrase “Higher, further, faster!” But should it be “farther” instead?

“The confusion over ‘further’ versus ‘farther” comes up all the time,” says Sara Ziegler, president of ACES: The Society for Editing.

It’s easier to understand by thinking of the “far” in “farther” as relating to physical distance (like, “the sun is far”), while “further” relates to figurative distance (like, “let’s discuss further”).

“I don’t mind using ‘further’ in the movie. Although the character travels a long physical distance, she also “goes further” in a figurative way,” she adds.
Ziegler adds that Merriam-Webster indicates these words have been used interchangeably, so the distinction might not be that crucial.