How to use "furthermore"

What Does "furthermore" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It expresses addition, introducing an additional piece of information or argument that supports or expands upon the previous one.
• Typical sentence position: Initial (most common).
• Register: Formal.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: Furthermore is typically followed by a clause that is related to the previous statement. It is preceded by a complete sentence or clause.
• Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence, it's followed by a comma. It can also be used mid-sentence, usually set off by commas or semicolons, depending on the complexity of the surrounding clauses.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence. It can be moved within a sentence, but this is less common and may sound awkward. It cannot be negated.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using furthermore in very informal contexts sounds unnatural. Also, using it to introduce contradictory information is incorrect.

Real-World Examples

"Furthermore, the United Nations office on drugs and crime recently released an Implementation guide and evaluative framework (pdf) for Article 11 of the UN convention against corruption." — The Guardian

"Furthermore (and Dacre would have been proud of this line), "the ABC has an endless list of progressive journalists and hosts sharing their perspectives and an absence of hosts or programmers who are mainstream or, heaven forbid, conservative"." — The Guardian - Opinion

"Furthermore, these comments are consistently capturing inordinate numbers of 'recommends', sometimes on the order of 10 to 12 times what pro-Ukrainian comments receive." — The Guardian - Opinion

"Furthermore, the 'running out of funds' rhetoric has often been used instrumentally to affect negotiations by parties involved, adding to the noise." — The Guardian - Business

"Furthermore, if you're signing as a rent guarantor, make sure you know what this entails: you'll be legally liable for the rent or covering the costs of any damage." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/furthermore

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
moreover	Similar in formality to "furthermore"; adds extra information.
in addition	A more general and slightly less formal way to add information.
besides	Less formal than "furthermore"; often used in spoken language.
also	Common and neutral; suitable for most contexts, including informal ones.
what's more	Slightly less formal; adds emphasis or surprise.
on top of that	Informal; adds something significant to what has already been said.
to boot	Informal and idiomatic; adds something extra, often unexpected.

Common Mistakes

• Using furthermore to introduce information that contradicts the previous statement. It should only add to it.
• Forgetting the comma after furthermore when it starts a sentence.
• Learners sometimes misuse "furthermore" in informal contexts, as it carries a more formal tone than simpler alternatives like "also" or "moreover".

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
Furthermore	Adds information	Formal	Sentence-initial

FAQs

Can "furthermore" be used in the middle of a sentence?

Yes, furthermore can be used mid-sentence, but it's more commonly used at the beginning. When used mid-sentence, it should be set off by commas, or sometimes semicolons, depending on the structure of the sentence, for example: "The results were promising; furthermore, they were achieved with minimal side effects."

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How is "furthermore" different from "moreover"?

Furthermore and moreover are very similar, both serving to introduce additional information. The difference is subtle, but moreover can sometimes suggest a slightly stronger emphasis or importance of the added information compared to furthermore, though they are largely interchangeable.

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Is it wrong to use "furthermore" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, using furthermore in very casual or informal conversations can sound overly formal or stilted. In such situations, simpler alternatives like "also," "besides," or "in addition" would be more appropriate and natural.