next to

USAGE SUMMARY

"next to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when comparing or contrasting two things or concepts, for example: "The new restaurant is next to the theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next to Gerald's.

Independent

"Next to nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

Next to last?

The New York Times - Sports

But next to him?

The New York Times

— next to her heart.

The New Yorker

Right next to Trigger's.

The New York Times - Sports

Next to your mother?

The New Yorker

Next to my boyfriend's toothbrush.

The New York Times

"Store next to that closed".

The New York Times

She surfaced next to me.

The New Yorker

He went next to Pelosi.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "next to" to indicate location, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is near. For example, instead of saying "the store is next to", specify "the store is next to the bank".

Common error

Avoid using "next to" without a clear reference point. Ambiguous statements like "it's next to" can confuse the reader. Always provide a specific landmark or object for context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the spatial relationship or sequence between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly and effectively serves to connect and provide context within sentences. Examples show its use in describing physical locations, ordinal positions and comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "next to" is a versatile tool for indicating spatial relationships, sequence, or comparison. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it's grammatically sound and readily usable. "Next to" is very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki articles, functioning to establish proximity, order, or degree. To ensure clarity, avoid ambiguity by always specifying what is "next to" what. Common alternatives include "beside", "adjacent to", and "close to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Beside

Indicates physical proximity, similar to "next to", but might imply a closer or more intimate connection.

Alongside

Suggests being side-by-side, often used in a more formal or descriptive context.

Adjacent to

A more formal term for "next to", often used in technical or geographical contexts.

Close to

Indicates nearness but can also refer to non-physical proximity, like time or relationship.

Near to

Similar to "close to" but slightly more formal.

By

A simple and direct way to indicate physical proximity.

Following

Implies a sequence or order, similar to one of the meanings of "next to".

Subsequent to

A more formal way of saying "following", emphasizing the temporal sequence.

Compared to

Highlights a comparison, aligning with the comparative sense of "next to".

In relation to

Emphasizes the connection or comparison between two elements.

FAQs

How do I use "next to" in a sentence?

You can use "next to" to indicate physical proximity, as in "The library is next to the park", or to show sequence, like in "The next to last chapter was the most exciting".

What are some alternatives to "next to" when describing location?

Alternatives include "beside", "adjacent to", and "nearby depending on the context".

Is it correct to use "next to" when making a comparison?

Yes, "next to" can be used to indicate something is almost or nearly something else, as in "It's next to impossible to convince him".

What's the difference between "next to" and "beside"?

"Next to" generally indicates being in close proximity, while "beside" can imply being very close or side by side.