A - Italian Preposition - Lawless Italian Grammar


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Preposizione

The preposition a is generally summarized as "to, at, or in," but it has quite a few more meanings and uses than that.

When a is followed by a definite article, the two words must contract into an articulated preposition.

l’

gli

allo

alla

all’

agli

alle

1) Destination
Andiamo a Milano.		We’re going to Milan.
Voglio andare all’ufficio postale.		I want to go to the post office.
2) Location
Vivi a Firenze?		Do you live in Florence?
È a scuola.		She’s at school.
3) Distance
Siamo a due chilometri dalla spiaggia.		We’re two kilometers from the beach.
Lui vive a 20 minuti di distanza.		He lives 20 minutes away from here.
4) Point in time
Arriverà a mezzogiorno.		She’ll arrive at noon.
Ho pubblicato il mio primo libro a 25 anni.		I published my first book at 25.
5) In + any month
a gennaio		in January
a settembre		in September
6) Until
Sarò qui fino a domani.		I’ll be here until tomorrow.
alla prossima volta		until next time
7) Range
Mi ci vogliono dalle 2 alle 3 ore per farlo.		I need 2 to 3 hours to do it.
da lunedì a sabato		from Monday to Saturday
8) Manner or means
Andiamo a piedi.		Let’s go on foot.
un tappeto fatto a macchina		machine-made rug
9) Food description (flavor, type)
ravioli al pesto		ravioli with pesto
gelato alla nocciola		hazelnut gelato
10) Measurement
comprare al chilo		to buy by the kilo
andare a 110 km all’ora		to go 110 km per hour
11) Purpose
andare a visitare il museo		to go (in order to) visit the museum
uscire a vedere l’alba		to go out (in order) to watch the sunrise

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