the next / next / the last / last

Question

Hi there,What's the difference between the usage of the next and next, the last and  last ?Thanks in advance.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

If the reference is to time, next and last are used without an article when we refer to what is or was immediately after or before today:
He'll come next week. (= the week after this week)
I met him last month. (= the month before this month)
In some cases both uses are correct:
We'll talk about it [the] next time.

If the reference is to a point in time before or after another point in time that is not immediately before or after today, the is usually used:
He arrived on a Thursday and left the next day. (= both actions totally in the past, possibly months or years ago)
He will arrive late on May 6th and leave the next morning. (= both actions totally in the future, possibly months ahead)

If we don't have the calendar in mind, the is usually used:
That was the last time I saw him.
Have you any idea what time the next train leaves?

There are idiomatic exceptions:
He is [the] last in line.

CB

New2grammar · Answer

This is another interesting post from you, Cool Breeze. By the way, do the rules apply for 'previous' and 'the previous'?

Thanks, CB!

Cool Breeze · Answer

New2grammarThanks, CB!

My pleasure, N2G. You would indeed say He had arrived [on] the previous day if you were talking about a specific day in the past. So at least that part of the rule applies to previous. People don't normally use previous when they say He came last week, though.

Cheers
CB

PS: You can apply for a job, for example.

the next / next / the last / last

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