Next vs Then

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Next

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 adjective

Then

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 adverb

	Next	Then
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/nekst/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/nekst/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ðen/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ðen/"]/
Meaning	The one that comes after the current one.	At that time; next in order.
Example	The next train arrives in five minutes.	I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A1	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adverb
Collocations	next week, next time, next door, next level, next month	then and there, back then, if... then, then again, more then
Antonyms	previous, prior	before, previously
Common mistakes	Confused with 'last' when referring to order, Using 'next' instead of 'after' in some contexts, Omitting it in phrases like 'next time'	Confused with 'than' when comparing things., Used incorrectly at the beginning of a sentence without a connecting clause., Mixing 'then' with 'than' in conversations.
Usage notes	Use 'next' when referring to something coming after in time or order. It’s suitable for both spoken and written English. Avoid using in formal contexts where more specific terms, like 'subsequent', may be preferred.	Used to indicate a time in the past or future. Often used in storytelling. Avoid using in formal writing; instead, use 'subsequently' or 'afterward'.

See it in real clips

House Of Cards › S1 E1

It's about the next four decades.

Breaking Bad › S1 E4

Okay, so, what's the next step for Walt?

Breaking Bad › S1 E7

Okay, Heisenberg. Next week.

House Of Cards › S1 E1

It's about the next four decades.

Breaking Bad › S1 E4

Okay, so, what's the next step for Walt?

Next

Frequently asked questions: Next vs Then

What's the difference between Next and Then?

Next: The one that comes after the current one. Then: At that time; next in order.

Are Next and Then the same CEFR level?

Next: A1, Then: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Next and Then?

Next: adjective, Then: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Next: The next train arrives in five minutes. Then: I finished my homework, and then I went outside to play.

Can I use Next and Then interchangeably?

Not always. Next and Then are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.