Next to means beside, right by someone or something: the seat next to me. Its second meaning is almost: next to nothing means almost nothing, next to impossible means almost impossible. People use it about prices, amounts or chances.
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next to + noun/pronoun; sit/stand/live next to + person/place; next to nothing/impossible (= almost)
- I always book the seat next to the window on long flights.
- The pharmacy is right next to the bus stop, so you can't miss it.
- We bought the tickets in March, so they cost next to nothing.
What changed
First versionCan I sit next with you during the lecture?
RevisionCan I sit next to you during the lecture?
Sit with you is perfectly good English, so with can seem to belong here too. But next only combines with to: next to you. Next with isn't used in English.
Near means not far away, while next to means right beside, with nothing in between. The hotel is near the beach: the beach is a few minutes' walk away. The hotel is next to the beach: the beach is right outside the door.
Your turn
There was only one free seat on the bus, so I sat down ___ an elderly man with a dog.
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next to — Next always goes with to: sat down next to an elderly man. Next with mixes it up with sit with, and that combination doesn't exist in English.
Describe where you work or study. Say what your desk is next to and who sits next to you.
My desk is next to the window, and my colleague Anna sits next to me.
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