Simple and articulated prepositions - Preposizioni semplici e articolate

Prepositions are small but very important words in Italian. They are used to link words and sentences by giving information about a place, time, manner or cause. Learning how to use prepositions correctly is an essential part of speaking and writing clearly and precisely.
In this lesson we will focus on simple prepositions, which are the most common and basic, and articulated prepositions, which are formed by combining simple prepositions with definite articles. We will see how and when to use these prepositions through practical and easier to remember examples.

Simple prepositions 

DI: Indicates ownership or origin

"DI" is used to indicate who owns something or where someone comes from.

For example: 
1) Questa è la borsa di Maria. (This bag belongs to Maria)
2) Sono di Milano. (I am from Milan, my home town)

A: Indicates movement to place or state in place

"A" is used to indicate the destination of a movement or the place where you are.

For example: 
1) Vado a scuola.  (Your destination is school) 
2) Sono a casa. (You are at home; 'a' is a preposition used to indicate a general place, often with buildings or enclosed spaces)

DA: Indicates coming from or going to a place

"DA" is used to indicate origin or the starting point of a movement or the place where you go to find someone.

For example: 
1) Vengo da Milano. (You are from Milan)
2) Parto da casa.  (You are leaving home to go somewhere else)
3) Vado da Paolo.  (You are going to Paolo's house or to Paolo in general)

IN: Indicates a state of being in a place or on the way to a place 

"IN" is used to indicate where you are or where you are going, especially when referring to countries, regions, rooms or indoor spaces.

For example: 
1) Vivo in Italia. (Indicates the country where you live
2) Sono in cucina. (You are in the kitchen, an interior space)

CON: Indicates company or means

"CON" is used to indicate the person with whom you are doing something or the means you are using.

For example: 

1) Esco con gli amici. (You are in the company of friends)

2) Scrivo con una penna.  (You are writing with a pen)

SU: Indicates position

"SU" is used to indicate that something is on top of something else.

For example: 

1) Il libro è sul tavolo. (The book is on the table)

PER: Indicates a purpose or goal

"PER" is used to indicate the reason for doing something or the destination.

For example:

1) Studio per l'esame.  (The reason you are studying is the exam)

2) Parto per Roma. (The destination of your trip is Rome)

TRA e FRA: Indicates position or time

"TRA" e "FRA" are used to indicate an intermediate position between two elements or a time interval.
For example: 
1) La scuola è tra la chiesa e il parco. (The school is between the church and the park)
2) Parto tra due giorni.  (The time that must elapse before your departure is two days)

Summery - Simple prepositions

DI to indicate possession or origin.
A to indicate destination or place (especially specific cities or places).
DA to indicate origin or motion towards someone.
IN to indicate place (countries, regions, rooms, bounded spaces).
CON to indicate company or means.
SU to indicate position (on top of something else).
PER to indicate purpose or destination.
TRA/FRA to indicate intermediate position or time.

Articulated Prepositions

Articulated prepositions are formed by combining a simple preposition with a definite article (il, lo, la, i, gli, le). This combination makes the Italian language more fluent and natural, avoiding the need to pronounce the preposition and the article separately.

Not all simple prepositions can be articulated. Only some, such as DI, A, DA, IN and SU, combine with the definite articles to form articulated prepositions. 

Other prepositions, such as CON, PER, TRA and FRA, never combine with articles and always remain in simple form. This is because such prepositions do not require the use of an article to be clear or precise in their meaning.

Here are a few examples of articulated prepositions:

a + il = al

a + la = la

da + gli = dagli

da + i = dai

di + il = del

di + la = della

in + il = nel

in + gli = negli

su + il = sul

su + l' = sull'

The use of articulated prepositions is common when you want to indicate a specific object or position referring to a noun with an article. 

For example, 'DI' and 'IL' become 'DEL' to indicate belonging to or coming from a particular noun, as in 'Il libro del professore' (the book of this particular professor). 

This combination makes speech more fluent and natural, avoiding repetition or excessive pauses.

To conclude

Prepositions are essential for building correct sentences in Italian. 

Although they may seem difficult at first, with a little practice they will become second nature. 

Remember that each preposition has its own specific use, but by learning the right contexts you will be able to use them without any trouble.

Continue to practise and use prepositions in everyday conversation. Gradually you will be able to handle even the most complex situations and communicate with increasing fluency. 

If you have any questions or would like to share your learning experience, please leave a comment below. I'm curious to know how you are progressing on your language journey!

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