Adjectives with Fixed Prepositions

Level 4

In Italian, many adjectives cannot stand alone if they refer to something else; they need a 'bridge' preposition. For example, while English says 'interested IN', Italian says 'interessato A'.

How It Works

Prepositional government refers to the fixed pairing of an adjective with a specific preposition. Much like in English, these pairings are often idiomatic and must be learned as part of the adjective's vocabulary.

1. Adjectives with 'di'
Commonly used for states of mind or capabilities:

Contento di (Happy with/about): Sono contento del regalo.
Capace di (Capable of): È capace di tutto.
Sicuro di (Sure of): Sei sicuro di venire?

2. Adjectives with 'a'
Often used for tendencies or readiness:

Interessato a (Interested in): Sono interessato alla storia.
Pronto a (Ready to): Siamo pronti a partire.
Abituato a (Used to): Non sono abituato al freddo.

3. Adjectives with 'per' and 'da'
Used for purpose, origin, or distinction:

Famoso per (Famous for): L'Italia è famosa per il cibo.
Lontano da (Far from): Abito lontano dal centro.
Diverso da (Different from): Questo libro è diverso dal tuo.

4. Specific Nuances
Some adjectives change prepositions based on the context:

Bravo in + Noun (Subject/Field): Bravo in matematica.
Bravo a + Infinitive (Skill/Action): Bravo a cantare.

5. Morphological Note
When the preposition is followed by a noun with a definite article, they must merge into articulated prepositions (e.g., di + il = del).

Examples (5)

Sono molto contento di conoscerti.
I am very happy to meet you.
Word by Word: I am very happy of to know you.
The adjective 'contento' requires the preposition 'di' before an infinitive verb.
Non è affatto capace di mentire.
He is not at all capable of lying.
Word by Word: Not is at all capable of to lie.
'Capace' is always followed by 'di' when specifying the action one is capable of.
Siamo pronti alla sfida.
We are ready for the challenge.
Word by Word: We are ready to the challenge.
'Pronto' uses 'a'. Here, 'a' merges with 'la' to become the articulated preposition 'alla'.
Sei molto bravo in chimica!
You are very good at chemistry!
Word by Word: You are very good in chemistry!
When 'bravo' refers to a field of study or a subject noun, we use 'in'.
Lui è interessato a comprare la casa.
He is interested in buying the house.
Word by Word: He is interested to to buy the house.
Unlike English 'in', the Italian 'interessato' requires 'a'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'in' with 'interessato' (English interference).
Sono interessato in questo libro.
Sono interessato a questo libro.
English speakers often translate 'interested in' literally. In Italian, 'interessato' almost always takes 'a'.
Omitting the preposition before an infinitive.
Sono felice vederti.
Sono felice di vederti.
After many adjectives, Italian puts 'di' or 'a' before an infinitive. Impersonal phrases with 'essere' are different and take none: 'È bello vederti', 'È difficile capire'.
Using 'a' with a noun for 'bravo'.
Lui è bravo a matematica.
Lui è bravo in matematica.
While common in very informal speech, standard Italian requires 'in' for subjects/fields and 'a' for actions (verbs).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Adjectives with Fixed PrepositionsLevel 4

Learn This First

To learn adjectives with fixed prepositions, you first need to be comfortable with basic adjective agreement. You must also understand simple prepositions, as these serve as the 'glue' between the adjective and its complement. Finally, since these adjectives often introduce an action, familiarity with the infinitive construction is required.

Sources

Practice Adjectives with Fixed Prepositions in Bubblegum

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