Cool MateFurthermore vs Secondly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Furthermore
Secondly
| Furthermore | Secondly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfɜːðəˈmɔː(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfɜːrðərˈmɔːr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsekəndli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsekəndli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Also; in addition to what was said before. | In the second place; the second reason or point. |
| Example | He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. | Firstly, it's expensive, and secondly, it's too slow. |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | furthermore, it is important, furthermore, we should consider, furthermore, studies show | first, secondly, secondly, I want to emphasize, first point, secondly, first stage, secondly, secondly, we should consider |
| Antonyms | however, nevertheless | firstly, initially, primarily |
| Common mistakes | Using 'furthermore' in informal speech too often., Confusing 'furthermore' with 'besides' which can have a different tone., Placing a comma before 'furthermore' incorrectly in sentence structure. | 'Second' used instead of 'secondly' when listing points., 'Then' or 'next' used in formal writing instead of 'secondly'., Using 'secondly' without 'first' in a list. |
| Usage notes | Use 'furthermore' to add information in formal writing or speech. It's less common in casual conversation. Avoid starting sentences with it in informal contexts. | Use 'secondly' when listing points in formal writing or speaking. It’s less common in everyday conversation where 'next' or 'then' might be used. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Furthermore vs Secondly
What's the difference between Furthermore and Secondly?
Furthermore: Also; in addition to what was said before. Secondly: In the second place; the second reason or point.
Which is more common: Furthermore and Secondly?
Furthermore is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Furthermore and Secondly?
Furthermore is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Furthermore and Secondly the same CEFR level?
Furthermore: B2, Secondly: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Furthermore and Secondly?
Furthermore: adverb, Secondly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Furthermore: He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. Secondly: Firstly, it's expensive, and secondly, it's too slow.
Can I use Furthermore and Secondly interchangeably?
Not always. Furthermore and Secondly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.