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Jesusengland Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

The next and Next

Hello.

1 (usually with the) coming straight after sb/sth in time, order or space: The next train to Baltimore is at ten. The next six months will be the hardest. The next chapter Who’s next? The woman in the next room. I fainted and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital. (informal) Round here, you leave school at sixteen and next thing you know, you’re married with three kids.
2 (used without the) ~ Monday, week, summer, year, etc. the Monday, week, etc. immediately following: Next Thursday is 12 April. Next time I’ll bring a book.
(Advanced Oxford dictionary)

But I can't find any differences between these two definitions.What is the difference in meaning?
- Next six months will be the hardest.(=?)The next six months will be the hardest.
- Next Thursday is 12 April.(=?) The next Thursday is 12 April.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, There's no difference in meaning. It's just that we say this kind of thing very idiomatically. We say 'next year', but we don't say 'next 6 months'.

— Clive

  • Hi, There's no difference in meaning.
  • It's just that we say this kind of thing very idiomatically.
  • We say 'next year', but we don't say 'next 6 months'.
  • We say 'the next 6 months'.
  • We can say 'next month' or 'next July'.
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1 Answers
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Hi,
There's no difference in meaning. It's just that we say this kind of thing very idiomatically.

We say 'next year', but we don't say 'next 6 months'. We say 'the next 6 months'.

We can say 'next month' or 'next July'.

Clive
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