The prepositions in and a
The prepositions in (in, to, at) and a (in, to) are used to indicate both location and direction.
Siamo in centro.
We are in the center.
Vado al mare.
I'm going to the coast.
The preposition in is used:
- Before months, years, seasons and centuries.
Avrò le ferie in autunno.
I will take my leave in the fall.
- Before the names of countries, regions and certain other places.
Ci trasferiremo in Francia.
We are moving to France.
- To indicate location inside/within something (a place, a book, etc.)
L’ho letto nella Contrazione in ricetta.
I read it in the recipe.
- With means of transport.
Andiamo in aereo.
We are going by airplane.
The preposition a is used in the following circumstances:
- Before times, months and public holidays (Natale/Christmas, Pasqua/Easter, etc.)
Partiranno per il viaggio alle Contrazione a 6 di mattina.
They will leave on vacation at 6 in the morning.
- Before the names of cities and certain outdoor locations (al mare/at the coast, al parco/in the park, etc.)
Abito a Milano da tre anni.
I've lived in Milan for three years.
- To indicate age.
A diciannove anni ho superato l’esame di maturità.
At nineteen years of age I passed the final high school exam.
- In the expression (andare) a piedi (to go on foot)
Ho fatto 5 chilometri a piedi.
I did 5 kilometers on foot.
Both the prepositions in and a are used:
- Before masculine nouns indicating a place (though a is more common).
Vado al ristorante.
I'm going to the restaurant.
- Before feminine nouns indicating a place (though in is more common).
Il direttore entra in azienda.
The manager comes into the office.
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