-Next means the one right after or immediately after. Next is about order and direction. -When it's about distance, near and close have same meaning it means a short distance away. Near and close is about distance. -to Approach means to come nearer and nearer (or closer and closer). It is a verb. Examples: Ex : If you're saying the Alphabet "A..B..C...D..." the next letter (the letter immediately after D) is E. Ex : A..................................P..N...S......X -P is near N and S. OR P is close to N and S. This is because the distance between P and N; and P and S are short. -P is close to X. P is far from A. OR P is near X. -P is next to A and next to N. This is because next is about order and not a distance. Ex : A......P => A..P => AP A is approaching P (or P is approaching A). This A and P are getting closer and closer.