Practice
Furthermore or moreover: what's the difference?
The train is often late. Furthermore, the station has no indoor waiting area. A different writer might use moreover in the second sentence. Both words add another reason, but the sentence still needs a clear connection to the point before it.
Choose furthermore or moreover to add a connected point, and place the connector clearly in a formal sentence.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
furthermore and moreover /ˌfɝː.ðɚˈmɔːr/ and /mɔːrˈoʊ.vɚ/
The short answer
Use furthermore or moreover when you want to add a related supporting point. Furthermore often feels like a continuation of the argument. Moreover can give extra weight to the next point. The difference is usually about emphasis and style, not a strict grammar rule.
The apartment is close to work. Moreover, the rent fits our budget.
Why it works: Moreover adds a second reason for choosing the apartment. It begins a new sentence and is followed by a comma.
5 more examples
-
The course meets online. Furthermore, all recordings stay available for one week.
The second sentence gives another useful fact about the same course.
Not this:The course meets online.
On Saturday, I visited my cousin. What changes: The second sentence changes the topic, so furthermore would not make the connection clear. -
The office is easy to reach by bus. Moreover, visitors can park nearby.
Moreover adds a second practical reason that supports the same recommendation.
Not this:The office is easy to reach by bus.
However, the last bus leaves early. What changes: However introduces a contrast, not an additional supporting point. -
The proposal reduces printing costs; furthermore, it saves staff time.
The semicolon joins two closely related complete sentences. Furthermore adds another benefit.
Not this:The proposal reduces printing
costs, furthermoreit saves staff time. What changes: A comma alone should not join these two complete sentences. Use a period or a semicolon before furthermore. -
The job requires evening work. Moreover, applicants need a driver's license.
Moreover adds another requirement for the same job.
Not this:The job requires evening work.
Therefore, applicants need a driver's license. What changes: Therefore shows a result. A driver's license does not result from evening work, so moreover is clearer. -
The guide is short and clear. Furthermore, it includes examples for each step.
The example adds another positive feature of the guide.
Not this:The guide is short and clear.
For example, page two explains the first step. What changes: For example gives an illustration of an earlier statement rather than a separate supporting point.
Read the full guide
First, check the relationship between the two sentences. The second sentence must add information that helps the reader understand or accept the first point. If it changes the subject completely, neither furthermore nor moreover is the right connector.
Add a point that belongs
Use these connectors only when the next sentence adds to the same idea. The connection can be a second reason, another benefit, or one more fact that supports the point.
The library is open late. Furthermore, it has quiet study rooms.
Both sentences describe reasons the library is useful.
Does the next sentence add a reason, or does it change the subject?
Use furthermore or moreover only when it adds a connected reason or fact.
Choose by emphasis
There is no hard grammar line between furthermore and moreover. Furthermore often sounds like one more step in the writer's argument. Moreover can make the added point sound particularly relevant. Both fit formal reports, applications, and careful written explanations.
The plan lowers costs. Moreover, it avoids a long delay.
Moreover gives extra attention to the second advantage, the avoided delay.
Which connector can introduce the next point in a formal list of reasons?
Furthermore is a natural choice when you are moving to another supporting point.
Punctuate the connector
At the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after furthermore or moreover. When you join two complete sentences in one line, use a semicolon before the connector and a comma after it.
The instructions are clear; furthermore, they include a picture.
The semicolon separates two complete sentences. The comma after furthermore marks the connector.
Choose the punctuation: The room is quiet ___ moreover, it has natural light.
Use a period or semicolon before moreover: The room is quiet. Moreover, it has natural light.
Do not use an addition word for contrast
Furthermore and moreover add information. They do not show an opposite result, a cause, or an example. For those relationships, choose a connector such as however, therefore, or for example.
The store is nearby. However, it closes before I finish work.
However is correct because the early closing time limits the advantage of the nearby store.
Which relationship does moreover show: addition, contrast, or result?
Moreover shows addition. It adds another connected point.
Use a simpler word when the situation is casual
These connectors are useful, but they can sound stiff in a quick text message or an ordinary conversation. Also may be more natural when you simply want to add one small detail.
I brought sandwiches, and I also packed fruit.
Also adds information in a relaxed, everyday sentence.
Which word may sound more natural in a short message to a friend?
Use also when the situation is casual and the extra point is simple.
Before you go
Remember this
Use furthermore or moreover to add a connected supporting point. Keep the two sentences on the same topic, use a comma after the connector at the start of a sentence, and choose the word that fits the paragraph's formal tone and emphasis.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Furthermore or moreover: what's the difference?"
Can I use furthermore and moreover in the same sentence?
Usually, choose one. Both words add information, so using both together normally repeats the same connection. Write one connector, then state the added point clearly.
The course meets online. Furthermore, all recordings stay available for one week.
Are furthermore and moreover formal words?
They are common in formal or carefully organized writing, such as reports, essays, and applications. In ordinary conversation, also is often a more natural way to add a small point.
The course meets online. On Saturday, I visited my cousin.
Do I need a comma after furthermore or moreover?
When either connector begins a sentence, a comma usually follows it: Furthermore, the deadline is Friday. If it follows a semicolon between two complete sentences, use a comma after the connector there too.
The office is easy to reach by bus. Moreover, visitors can park nearby.
Is moreover stronger than furthermore?
Writers may use moreover to give a little more weight to the added point, while furthermore can feel like the next point in an argument. The meanings overlap, so the surrounding sentence and the writer's style matter more than a fixed rule.
The office is easy to reach by bus. However, the last bus leaves early.
What should I use when the next sentence disagrees with the first one?
Choose a contrast connector such as however when the second sentence limits or opposes the first point. Furthermore and moreover add support, so they do not show disagreement.
The proposal reduces printing costs, furthermore it saves staff time.