Confusing words explained
“far” vs “fare” — What’s the Difference?
Spelled differently; 'far' means distance, 'fare' means ticket price or food.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: far vs fare
Spelled differently; 'far' means distance, 'fare' means ticket price or food.
far vs fare Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of far
At, to, or by a great distance.
A long way away; not close.
Use 'far' to describe distance in time or space. Combine with prepositions like 'so far' or 'as far as' for nuanced meaning.
- The store is far from my house.
- She lives far away in another country.
Meaning of fare
The price charged for a ticket on public transportation.
The cost you pay to travel on a bus, train, plane, or taxi.
Use 'fare' as a noun for transportation costs. The verb 'to fare' is less common; it means to manage or get along.
- The bus fare increased this month.
- I paid the taxi fare with my credit card.
How to Remember the Difference
Far = distance (no E); fare = price for transport or food (with E).
Common Mistakes with far and fare
Mistake with far
Wrong: The school is far.
Correct: The school is far away.
'Far' alone is awkward; add 'away' or complete with 'from' to show distance properly.
Mistake with far
Wrong: She lives far to the north.
Correct: She lives far to the north of here.
When comparing distances, complete the comparison; 'to the north' alone is incomplete without a reference point.
Mistake with fare
Wrong: The train fare is fifty far.
Correct: The train fare is fifty dollars.
'Far' is not a currency; use a proper unit like dollars, euros, or pounds for money amounts.
Mistake with fare
Wrong: She fared the bus ticket yesterday.
Correct: She paid the bus fare yesterday.
The verb 'fare' means to manage or get along, not to pay. Use 'pay' for transportation costs.
Practice Quiz: far or fare?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
The store is _____ from my house.
Question 2
She lives _____ away in another country.
Question 3
How _____ can you walk in one hour?
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About far vs fare
What’s the difference between “far” and “fare”?
Spelled differently; 'far' means distance, 'fare' means ticket price or food.
When should I use “far”?
Use 'far' to describe distance in time or space. Combine with prepositions like 'so far' or 'as far as' for nuanced meaning.
When should I use “fare”?
Use 'fare' as a noun for transportation costs. The verb 'to fare' is less common; it means to manage or get along.
How can I remember far vs fare?
Far = distance (no E); fare = price for transport or food (with E).
Is it “far” or “fare” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.