# next to

CEFR A1 · Prepositional phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/next-to
Updated: 2026-07-31

## Definition

at the side of someone or something; very close to a person or object.

For teachers: indicating a position immediately adjacent to or beside a reference point.

## Examples

- The bank is next to the post office.
- I sat next to my brother during the movie so we could share the popcorn.
- The historic library stands next to a modern glass skyscraper, creating a striking architectural contrast in the city center.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The chair is next the table." but "The chair is next to the table." — learners often omit the required preposition 'to' after 'next' when indicating location.

## Usage notes

- always requires the particle 'to' before the following noun or pronoun.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'near' to show that 'next to' implies immediate adjacency with nothing in between, whereas 'near' just means close by.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.