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I could not figure out why not use the with:

Are you working (the) next week?

We’re going to plant some new flowers (in the) next spring.

Ollie’s coming to stay the week after (the) next.

You are (the) next.

Though it has been used in:

I don’t know how I’m going to manage from one day to the next.

I’ll finish the work in the next few days. You can pay me then.

The next person she met was an old lady who had lived in the village all her life.

Please explain the rule.

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  • How come you're asking a question and adding a link to the resource where the answer is at the same time?
    – Victor B.
    Commented Jul 27, 2016 at 15:21
  • @AnubhavSingh There is unfortunately no single "rule" regarding when we can, should, or must omit the article in English. There are many questions on the subject and many answers! A useful article is here, too.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Jul 27, 2016 at 20:10

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Words such as tomorrow, today, names of days or months such as March or Tuesday, full dates such as January 3rd don't use articles.

I'm working today.

Next week or next with one of the above falls in the same category.

Next can be an adjective, as well as a noun.

Adjectives can follow forms of to be, so saying something like You are next is fine, and no the is needed. Nouns can also follow forms of to be, so saying You are the next is also OK.

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  • Please explain Adjectives can follow forms of to be, so saying something like You are next is fine, and no the is needed. Nouns can also follow forms of to be, so saying You are the next is also OK.
    – Anubhav
    Commented Jul 28, 2016 at 15:13

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