next*/*/*/

[nekst]

grammar word summary: Next can be: ■ a determiner: I'll see you next week. ■ an adjective: I'm leaving town on the next train. ■ a pronoun: You're the next in line. ■ an adverb: What happens next? ■ used in the preposition phrase next to: Come and sit next to me.

1) used for referring to the time, event, or person that comes after this one, or that comes after another one

He said he was leaving for Rome the next day.[/ex]

The next train to arrive at platform three is the 10.40 to Liverpool.[/ex]

I'll call you the next time I'm in town.[/ex]

Who's next in the queue?[/ex]

I knew exactly what was going to happen next.[/ex]

I'll see you next Friday.[/ex]

A meeting has been arranged for the weekend after next.[/ex]

2) used for referring to the place that is closest to where you are

I could hear the sound of laughter in the next room.[/ex]

•

the next best/largest/smallest etc — one that is almost as good/large/small etc as another one that you are mentioning[/ex]

Britain is Europe's next largest oil producer after Norway.[/ex]

This video game is the next best thing to flying a real plane.[/ex]

next of kin — your closest relative or relatives[/ex]

next to — 1) beside, or very near to, someone or something, with no other person or thing in between[/ex]

She sat down next to me.[/ex]

Steve lives next to a lake, so we'll be able to go swimming.[/ex]

— 2) used before negative words to mean 'almost, but not completely'

It will be next to impossible to win.[/ex]

She earns next to nothing.[/ex]