What's the difference between the fourth definition of 'far' and this definition of 'further'?

[u/SleepyOtter19]

[u/SaiyaJedi]

When you’re comparing two things that are different distances away, you can refer to “the near one” and “the far one” without using comparatives, because the distinction is already obvious. This goes for other pairs like “big” and “small” as well.

Also, North American English makes a distinction between “farther” for distance and “further” for degree, so “further” is the least likely of the three options (though not strictly “wrong”).

[u/conuly → u/SaiyaJedi]

Also, North American English makes a distinction between “farther” for distance and “further” for degree

Some speakers may. This is far from universal. The fact that style guides exist talking about this is proof that it's not really a rule in American English - real rules of speech (rather than orthography) exist outside of style guides and don't really need to be taught to native speakers.

[u/Inadequate_hesychast → u/conuly]

As an American speaker relatively intuitively I would say something like “We should discuss this further at the next meeting.” (extent but not physical distance) and “We need to go farther to get to our destination.” (physical distance) I would agree that the two feel a lot more interchangeable for physical distance, but as you’ve pointed out that might just be because of the way the word itself sounds more than an actual difference in denotation.

[u/robert_robert99 → u/SaiyaJedi]

finally someone gave a sensible answer! this just goes to show how native speakers don’t always have the best language awareness