Preposition NEXT TO — When and How to Use It
Quick Answer
Use next to when two things are side by side — the bank and the shop, two people, two buildings. It is the same as \”beside,\” but \”next to\” is more common in everyday English.
Example: The bank is next to the shop.
NEXT TO in Action — See the Pattern
Read these three sentences. Look at how next to works:
- She sits next to me at school. (She sits at my side.)
- The cafe is next to the bookshop. (The cafe is right beside the bookshop.)
- My phone is next to my laptop. (The phone is right beside the laptop.)
When to Use NEXT TO
Use next to when two things are at each other’s side, with nothing between them. Think of two people standing side by side.
- Two buildings: “The hospital is next to the school.”
- Two people: “He stood next to his sister.”
- Two objects: “Your cup is next to the kettle.”
Easy way to remember: Hold your hands together side by side. Your left hand is next to your right hand. Anything that is right beside something else, with nothing in between, is next to it.
The Rule in One Line: Use next to when two things are side by side.
Real-Life Examples With NEXT TO
Here are examples you might say or hear in everyday life:
- I parked my car next to a red one. (Right beside the red car.)
- She sat next to me on the bus. (On the seat right beside me.)
- The post office is next to the supermarket. (The two buildings are side by side.)
- My phone is next to the lamp. (Right beside the lamp on the table.)
- Put your shoes next to the door, please. (Right beside the door.)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With NEXT TO
The most common mistake is dropping the word \”to.\” Many learners say \”next the bank\” — but English needs both words: \”next to.\”
Forgetting to
✗ The cafe is next the shop.
✓ The cafe is next to the shop.
Using between for two things side by side
✗ The bank is between the shop. (needs two things on each side)
✓ The bank is next to the shop.
Using on instead
✗ He stood on his sister.
✓ He stood next to his sister.
How to remember: Two hands side by side: one hand is next to the other. Always two words — \”next\” + \”to.\”
Other common \”next to\” places: next to the bank, next to the door, next to the window, next to me, next to the bed.
Test Yourself: NEXT TO
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. The bookshop is _______ the cafe.
2. She sat _______ her brother on the bus.
3. My phone is _______ the laptop on the desk.
4. The bus stop is _______ the supermarket.
5. Put the lamp _______ the bed.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned next to — a phrase you will use every time you give directions or describe a room.
But here is a question: what if there are three things in a row? The shop on the left, the cafe on the right, and the bank in the middle. Where is the bank? Not next to just one of them — it is between both. There is one perfect word for this.
Next lesson: Preposition BETWEEN — When and How to Use It
My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
