Meaning & use
next
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Coming straight after this one in order or time.
Grammar: Before a noun, often with the: the next day.
Patterns
- the next + noun
- next week
The next train leaves at six.
Please come in next week.
Who is next?
adverbnot comparable
Immediately after, at the following time.
Grammar: Goes with verbs: what happened next.
Patterns
- what next
What happened next?
Add the eggs next.
adjectivebefore a noun
Nearest in position.
Grammar: Before a noun: the next room.
Patterns
- next door
- next to
They live in the next street.
She sat in the next seat.
nounsingular
The person or thing that follows.
Grammar: The next.
Patterns
- the next to do something
You're the next to speak.
Common combinations
- next week
- Next week.
- next to
- Next to the door.
- the next day
- The next day.
- next step
- The next step.
- next time
- Next time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- following
- Slightly more formal.
- subsequent
- Formal.
- adjacent
- Position only.
Opposites
Commonly confused: next or nest?
next vs nest
Nest is a bird's home.
Practice
We'll meet ___ Friday.
Choose one answer.
Next Friday needs no preposition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “next”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.