Italian grammars traditionally divide prepositions into two groups. The “preposizioni proprie” are, in order of frequency of use, di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra/fra. Of these, a, da, di, in, su are always articulated when used with the definite article (i.e. combine with it to produce alla, della, etc.). In modern Italian, per and tra/fra are no longer articulated. Con is only usually articulated in speech, and usually R1–2. The “preposizioni improprie” were originally adverbs and in modern Italian can be used as prepositions or adverbs: e.g. contro, davanti, dietro, sotto, sopra. They are never articulated.

a

In modern Italian a becomes ad usually only before another word beginning with a, but higher registers continue the tradition of using ad before words beginning with any vowel.

ad alta voce, ad (or a) Ancona (all registers)

ad Empoli, ad Imola, ad Otranto, ad Udine (R2–3)

Basic meanings

1. (a) destination, direction; generally corresponds to English to

2. vado al ristorante, vado a Roma

3. I'm going to the restaurant, I'm going to Rome

4. (b) location; corresponds to English at or in

5. sono a casa, abitano a Milano

6. They are at home, they live in Milan

7. (c) point in time

8. alle due; a mezzogiorno

9. at two o'clock; at midday