Across and in front of, beside and next to

Question

What's difference between across and in front ?

I understand the "across" we use when we need to cross something to see smth for example.

The library is across from the park..(so there is a road between the library and the park..

Can I say: The library is in front of the park?

And what's difference between "beside" and "next to"?

Thank you in advance!

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

Hi Marusia:

Good questions!

Imagine you're in a classroom. You are seated in row three, seat five (out of ten seats abreast). The person seated in row two, seat five, is directly in front of you.

Now imagine that there is an 1.5 meter aisle running down the middle of the classroom and that this aisle is next to your seat (on your right). The person in row three, place 6, is seated directly across from you. Being across from something expresses movement over a place or region (in this case crossing the aisle). Across can also refer to position or orientation. In our example, the person located 90° to your right is seated across the aisle.

"'Beside" and "next to" are more difficult because there is no concept of distance or movement. They are pretty much interchangeable and I would go so far as to say that they are the same. NB: I'm saying "next to" and "beside" are the same - not any variation thereof!

Hope this helps.

John

CalifJim · Answer

MarussiaThe library is across from the park..(so there is a road between the library and the park..

Correct.

MarussiaCan I say: The library is in front of the park?

No. That combination doesn't work well. A park is too diffuse an area. You need to be in front of something with a more definite shape - in front of an object or in front of a person. in front of is the opposite of behind.

I am standing in front of the library.

There is a flag in front of the post office.

Lucy loves to watch TV. You can almost always find her sitting in front of the TV.

Steve sat in front of Larry in English class because he wanted to be closer to the teacher.

I couldn't see the movie very well because a woman with a big hat was sitting in front of me.

My friend Jack and I were standing in line to buy tickets. I was standing in front of him. He was standing behind me.

MarussiaAnd what's the difference between "beside" and "next to"?

Register. The meaning is the same, but 'next to' is the more common (lower register) term and 'beside' is the slightly more formal (higher register) term.

CJ

Marussia · Answer

Thank you so much for the answer!

Marussia · Answer

Thanks!!!!!

Across and in front of, beside and next to

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