next to

At the side of someone or something, with little space between.

• Sit next to me.
• Our house is next to the park.
• Who was standing next to you?

How to use it: next to someone/something (The lamp is next to the bed.)

Similar words: beside, by, alongside

Common phrases: next to someone, next to something

When you compare someone or something with another person or thing.

• I look short next to you.
• Their house seems huge next to ours.
• Next to his earlier work, this painting feels dull.

How to use it: next to someone/something (My room looks tiny next to yours.)

Similar words: compared with, in comparison with

Common phrases: next to someone, next to something

After the person or thing mentioned, when choosing or deciding what matters most.

• Next to family, health matters most.
• Next to football, tennis is his favorite sport.
• Next to my mother, you know me best.

How to use it: next to someone/something (Next to her children, her work matters most to her.)

Similar words: after, apart from

Common phrases: next to family, next to health

Almost completely, especially when something is extremely difficult or very small.

• It costs next to nothing.
• Finding a taxi was next to impossible.
• We knew next to nothing about the problem.

Similar words: almost, nearly

Common phrases: next to nothing, next to impossible, next to useless