next to one another

USAGE SUMMARY

'next to one another' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean 'standing, positioned, or located close together', as in: The two buildings were situated next to one another.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Especially when they are sitting next to one another on a couch in "their" living room.

Huffington Post

Two women, strangers, are seated next to one another on a flight from LA to Miami.

HuffPost

What reactions have we seen when we have atoms next to one another, bromine on one, hydrogen on the other?

Yale University

Men sit around on benches, next to one another but effectively alone.

The New York Times - Arts

Wild-type spores and mutant spores were plated on the same plate directly next to one another.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

On September 22, The New York Times carried two reports next to one another.

Huffington Post

Two unidentified men stand next to one another.

Columbia University

Aid workers arranged the bodies next to one another.

The Guardian

Thus, sequences with different functions or spatiotemporal activities are juxtaposed next to one another.

Handbook of Epigenetics The New Molecular and Medical Genetics

Thus, stations next to one another were able to operate without interfering with the others' signals.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you want to have components displayed next to one another, use HorizontalArrangement instead.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "next to one another" to clearly indicate spatial relationships, especially when describing the arrangement of objects or people. Ensure the context clarifies which items are being positioned in relation to each other.

Common error

Avoid using "next to one another" interchangeably with phrases that imply sequence or causation. While it indicates proximity, it doesn't inherently suggest order or cause-and-effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next to one another" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the spatial relationship between two or more entities, specifying that they are situated in close proximity. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "next to one another" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the spatial relationship between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clearly conveys proximity. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, science, and academic contexts, it serves to describe arrangements and relationships effectively. Alternatives like "adjacent to each other" or "side by side" offer similar meanings, with slight nuances. When using "next to one another", ensure that the context clarifies which items are being positioned, avoiding confusion with phrases suggesting sequence or causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjacent to each other

Emphasizes direct touching or bordering.

beside one another

Highlights being side by side.

in close proximity

Focuses on nearness in space.

side by side

Stresses the parallel arrangement.

in juxtaposition

Highlights the contrasting elements placed closely.

contiguous with each other

Indicates a shared boundary.

in immediate vicinity

Focuses on being very nearby.

close together

A more general way of expressing nearness.

lying adjacent

Highlights the act of adjacency, often in a spatial context.

neighboring each other

Emphasizes being located in close proximity as neighbors.

FAQs

What does "next to one another" mean?

The phrase "next to one another" indicates that two or more things are positioned side by side or in close proximity. It describes a spatial relationship where items are adjacent or nearby.

How can I use "next to one another" in a sentence?

You can use "next to one another" to describe the arrangement of objects, people, or places. For example, "The houses were built "adjacent to each other"", or "The students sat "beside one another" during the exam."

What are some alternatives to "next to one another"?

Alternatives include "adjacent to each other", "side by side", or "in close proximity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "next to each other" and "next to one another"?

While both phrases convey the same general meaning of proximity, "next to one another" can emphasize that multiple entities are involved, rather than just two. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.