words easily confused/please ask your questions here.

peggy   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 20:59 GMT
what's the difference between "farther" and "further" ? in my exercises I had this sentence :
- I'm getting tired; how much ____________ is to the summet ?
I had to choose between several answers. I chose 'further' and 'farther'. Is it correct ?
I still don't know the difference between them.
Thank you for your help.
Leaner   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 21:03 GMT
Are absent-minded and forgetful the same ?
yalda   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 21:05 GMT
What is the difference between an exercise book and a notebook ?
Do students use an exercise book to write their homework in ? or a notebook ?
mjd   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 21:33 GMT
Peggy,

"Farther" is just a variant of "further." It means the same thing. I'd say "further" is more common...at least where I live.
mjd   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 21:40 GMT
one more thing....

"Farther" is always heard when discussing distances.....

For example:

"How much farther down the road is the inn?"

In a sentence like:

"For a further explanation of the formula, turn to page fifty-two."

In that sentence, only "further" makes sense because it is not discussing distance, rather a "more complete explanation."
Brazilian Guy   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 21:50 GMT
I've come across a book that said "farther" and "further" are interchangeble but often they use "farther" for a physical meaning, like:

"The next town is much farther than I thought."

And "further" for abstract meaning:

"He decide to go further with his project."

Any native speaker comment?
mjd   Sunday, November 16, 2003, 22:29 GMT
Yeah, for physical distance they're interchangeable, but not with a phrase like "a further explanation."
Peggy   Monday, November 17, 2003, 00:57 GMT
thanks a lot for your answers
Learner   Monday, November 17, 2003, 01:10 GMT
Are absent-minded and forgetful the same ?
Learner   Monday, November 17, 2003, 01:13 GMT
Are absent-minded and forgetful the same ?
Learner   Monday, November 17, 2003, 20:55 GMT

Are absent-minded and forgetful the same ?
chan   Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 01:38 GMT
i think they are different. personally speaking, absent-minded is sth. you can change it if you try to. but forgetful can't be changed. it is a kind of physiological problems. that is my opinion. anyhow, i am not a native speaker. i am not very sure for it.
wakisa   Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 03:30 GMT
absent-minded means being not attentive to deal with the issue the person has to face with at that moment,while Forgerful means the person is good at forgetting many things ,so he is always in an embarassed or embarassing situation.This is my own explanation to your urgent qustion.I am not quite clear about the others'attitude to your yearning.They seem so indifferent.Of course ,I am not perfect as well.Everyone can be absent-minded sometimes,but not always forgetful.
Yalda   Wednesday, November 19, 2003, 11:17 GMT
What is the difference between an exercise book and a notebook ?
Do students use an exercise book to write their homework in ? or a notebook ?
Leaner   Wednesday, November 19, 2003, 11:20 GMT
Thanks to all of you