next to these

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "next to these" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity or position relative to other items or concepts previously mentioned. Example: "The documents you need are next to these on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And next to these are five W's.

The New York Times

Next to these, the Orbit looks ponderous and confused.

The Guardian - Opinion

Next to these words, Simon writes "MAIN THEME".

The New Yorker

Who has subsequently woken up next to these people?

The Guardian - Opinion

Next to these, roadside slums were being bulldozed, and their residents rehoused.

The New Yorker

Next to these efforts, the Bjork Remix Web entries range from the revelatory to the mangled.

The New York Times - Arts

"I just lay in the gutter next to these six guys," she said.

The New York Times

"We've got to put police officers right next to these people.

The New York Times

Sorry, Mr. Greenspan, but you're nothing next to these exotic oil men.

The New York Times

"People moved next to these things, thinking they have been cleaned up".

The New York Times

"You're standing next to these N.F.L. quarterbacks, and you're the shortest one," Brees said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "next to these" when you want to clearly indicate that something is physically adjacent or immediately following a set of items you've already mentioned. It's a straightforward way to establish spatial or sequential relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "next to it/them" if the referent is unclear. Always ensure that "these" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned set of items to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next to these" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It serves to indicate the spatial relationship (adjacency) or sequential relationship (following directly after) between the subject being described and a previously mentioned set of items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "next to these" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote spatial or sequential proximity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is frequently found in various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific publications. While "next to these" is generally considered neutral in register, writers should ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "these" refers to. Alternative phrases like ""adjacent to these"" or "following these" can be used to provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjacent to these

Replaces "next" with "adjacent", emphasizing physical closeness.

beside these

Similar to "next to", but can sometimes imply a more intimate or personal proximity.

alongside these

Suggests being side-by-side or parallel to the referenced items.

in proximity to these

More formal way of indicating nearness.

close to these

Indicates that the items are nearby, but doesn't necessarily imply direct adjacency.

following these

Shifts the focus to sequence rather than spatial proximity.

subsequent to these

A more formal way of indicating a temporal sequence.

immediately after these

Emphasizes that something happens directly after the mentioned items.

in the vicinity of these

Implies a general area rather than direct adjacency.

in relation to these

Broader term indicating a connection or comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "next to these" in a sentence?

Use "next to these" to indicate proximity or sequence, as in, "The files you need are "next to these" on the shelf."

What are some alternatives to "next to these"?

Alternatives include "adjacent to these", "beside these", or "alongside these", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is there a difference between "next to these" and "close to these"?

"Next to these" usually implies direct adjacency, while "close to these" suggests a more general proximity without necessarily being directly beside them.

When should I use "following these" instead of "next to these"?

Use "following these" when you want to emphasize a sequence or order, rather than physical proximity. For example, "Following these steps, you should..." instead of "Next to these steps..."