next

1.adjectiveA1

Definition

the one that comes straight after the current person, thing, or moment in a series or period of time

Example

The next train to Taipei leaves at half past nine.

always before a noun: next + noun

Christopher turned to the next page and read for another hour.

Common collocations

next train/bus/flight
next week/month/year
next page/chapter
next meeting/class/lesson

Synonyms

following
more formal; used especially in writing and schedules
subsequent
formal; used mainly in academic or official contexts
upcoming
refers to something expected or planned in the near future

Antonyms

previous
the one that came before
last
the one at the end of a series

Grammar Patterns

next + noun

Usage Note

Always placed directly before the noun it describes. Cannot be used with 'than' (unlike 'later' or 'older').

Common Mistakes

I will see you in next Monday.

I will see you next Monday.

Do not use 'in' or 'on' before 'next' with days and months.

Idioms

better luck next time

idiom

A phrase used to comfort someone after they have failed at something.

Mina didn't win the race, but her coach said better luck next time.

You failed the test? Better luck next time, Diego.

from one day to the next

idiom

Describes a situation that changes unpredictably every day.

The weather here changes completely from one day to the next.

I never know my schedule from one day to the next.

the next big thing

idiom

A person or product that is expected to become very popular or successful soon.

Many investors think electric cars are the next big thing.

Is virtual reality the next big thing in entertainment?

the next man, woman, person, etc.

idiom

Refers to an average or typical person.

I can cook as well as the next person, but not gourmet meals.

She enjoys a good movie as much as the next woman.

take something to the next level

idiom

To improve or develop something that is already good, making it even better.

Aiden wants to take his guitar playing to the next level.

Our company plans to take customer service to the next level.

1.adverbA1

Definition

after the present moment, event, or action in a sequence

Example

What happened next surprised everyone in the room.

position after the subject or at the start of a clause

Nora finished her homework and next helped her little brother.

Common collocations

what happens next
what to do next
next came/arrived

Synonyms

then
more common in everyday speech; slightly less precise about immediacy
afterwards
focuses on the time after, not necessarily the very next step
subsequently
formal; used in academic or business writing

Antonyms

previously
before the current moment in a sequence
first
at the beginning of a sequence

Grammar Patterns

next + verb

Next, + clause

2.adverbA2

Definition

the first occasion after now when a repeated action happens again

Example

When I next see Lan, I will return the book she lent me.

pattern: when + subject + next + verb

Next time you visit Taipei, try the beef noodle soup.

collocation: next time

Common collocations

next time
when I/you next…

Grammar Patterns

next + verb (present simple)

next time + subject + verb

Usage Note

Often used with the present simple tense even when referring to a future time: 'When you next see her…' not 'When you will next see her…'

Common Mistakes

When I will next see you, I will explain.

When I next see you, I will explain.

Use present simple, not future tense, after 'when' and 'next time.'

3.adverbA2

Definition

positioned very close to something or someone, with no other person or thing in between

Example

The bakery is next to the post office on Main Street.

pattern: next to + noun for location

Adaeze sat next to Caio during the biology lecture.

Common collocations

next to + place
right next to
sit/stand next to

Synonyms

beside
slightly more formal; equally common
alongside
suggests a longer or parallel position
adjacent to
formal; used in technical or official descriptions

Antonyms

far from
at a great distance
away from
not near or adjacent

Grammar Patterns

next to + noun phrase

Common Mistakes

She sits next of me.

She sits next to me.

Always 'next to', not 'next of.'

4.adverbB1

Definition

used in comparisons to show what comes after something else in order of preference, importance, or degree

Example

Next to swimming, Linh enjoys cycling the most.

pattern: next to + noun + [subject] + verb most

Next to Tokyo, Osaka is the city I know best in Japan.

Common collocations

next to + noun (comparison)

Synonyms

after
simpler and more direct; less formal
behind
implies being in second place in a competition or ranking

Grammar Patterns

next to + noun (when comparing)

Usage Note

This sense always uses 'next to' and is followed by the thing that is ranked first. The main subject of the sentence is the second-ranked item.

5.adverbB2

Definition

almost entirely or very nearly; used before adjectives that describe a complete state to soften their meaning

Example

The old suitcase was next to empty when Folake opened it.

pattern: next to + adjective (empty)

It is next to impossible to finish this puzzle in ten minutes.

collocation: next to impossible

Common collocations

next to impossible
next to nothing
next to useless
next to empty

Synonyms

almost
works with a much wider range of adjectives; neutral register
nearly
similar to 'almost'; very common in everyday speech
virtually
slightly more formal; used in writing

Grammar Patterns

next to + adjective

next to + impossible/useless/impossible/empty

Usage Note

Only used with a small set of absolute or extreme adjectives such as 'impossible', 'useless', 'empty', 'invisible', 'certain'. Does not work with gradable adjectives ('next to tall' is not idiomatic).

Common Mistakes

This bag is next to heavy.

This bag is almost heavy.' or 'This bag is quite heavy.

'Next to' only collocates with absolute adjectives like 'impossible' or 'empty.'

6.adverbA2

Definition

who or what will appear, perform, or be presented next in a show, programme, or event

Example

Next up is a song by a young singer from Brazil.

pattern: Next up, + noun phrase

Who is next to speak at the conference this afternoon?

Common collocations

next up
be next to + verb
next on

Synonyms

following
more formal; used in written schedules or programmes
coming up
informal; very common on TV and radio

Antonyms

previous
the one that appeared just before
last
the one at the end of the programme

Grammar Patterns

Next up, + noun phrase

next + to appear/perform

Word family

next-door
adjectiveA2
next of kin
nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words refer to something that comes after the present point, but they differ in formality and usage. Next is the most common and neutral word, used for time, order, or position in everyday speech ('the next train,' 'next week'). Following is slightly more formal and is common in written schedules, instructions, or narratives ('the following chapter,' 'the following day'). Subsequent is formal and academic, used mainly in official documents, reports, or scholarly writing ('subsequent events proved him right'). Upcoming focuses on something expected or planned very soon ('the upcoming election,' 'the upcoming concert') and cannot be used for spatial position. Unlike the others, upcoming does not work for things that are immediate in a sequence ('the upcoming page' is incorrect). In everyday conversation, next covers most situations; use following for written instructions, subsequent for formal reports, and upcoming for planned future events.

next ↗following ↗subsequent ↗upcoming ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

next week/month/year/Sunday
next time
next door
next page/chapter
next step
next stage
next generation

Adverbs

next immediately
right next
directly next
just next

Phrases

next to nothing
next to impossible
the next best thing
next in line
next up

Prepositions

next to
next after
next in

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Next comes from Old English 'nīehst,' the superlative form of 'nēah' meaning 'near.' So 'next' originally meant 'nearest' — the closest in space. Over centuries its meaning expanded from physical closeness to closeness in time (the nearest hour, day, or week) and then to closeness in order or rank. The adverb use ('what happened next') developed in Middle English. The sense 'almost' (in 'next to impossible') preserves the original idea of nearness pushed to an extreme — so close that something is nearly true.

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next — adjective

1. the one that comes straight after the current person, thing, or moment in a seri

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

better luck next time

from one day to the next

the next big thing

the next man, woman, person, etc.

take something to the next level

next — adverb

1. after the present moment, event, or action in a sequence

Grammar Patterns

2. the first occasion after now when a repeated action happens again

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. positioned very close to something or someone, with no other person or thing in

Grammar Patterns

Common Mistakes

4. used in comparisons to show what comes after something else in order of preferen

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

5. almost entirely or very nearly; used before adjectives that describe a complete

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

6. who or what will appear, perform, or be presented next in a show, programme, or

Grammar Patterns

next — noun

1. the person or thing that comes after the current one in a line, series, or queue

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

next — preposition

1. at the side of something or someone, touching or very close to it

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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