Articulated Prepositions in Time Expressions
Articulated prepositions like nel, alle, and dal are essential for expressing specific time markers in Italian. They are mandatory when referring to years, centuries, and hours.
How It Works
Articulated prepositions are formed by combining a simple preposition with a definite article. In time expressions, they follow these specific rules:
- Years & Centuries: Use nel (in + il) for years and centuries starting with a consonant, and nell' for those starting with a vowel.
Nel 1990, Nell'Ottocento (In the 1800s). - Decades: Use negli (in + gli) for plural decades.
Negli anni '80 (In the 80s). - Clock Times: Use alle (a + le) for most hours.
Alle otto (At eight). Use all'una for 1:00.
Note: a mezzogiorno (at noon) and a mezzanotte (at midnight) are exceptions that use the simple preposition a. - Time Ranges: Use dal... al... for recurring days (dal lunedì al venerdì) and dalle... alle... for specific clock time ranges (dalle 9:00 alle 17:00).
- Parts of the Day: Use al mattino (in the morning), nel pomeriggio (in the afternoon), or alla sera (in the evening). For "at night," the standard general form is di notte; nella notte is used only for specific or literary contexts.
- Months & Seasons: While these usually take simple prepositions (in marzo, in estate), use articulated forms if they are specified by a year or adjective.
Nel marzo del 2020, Nell'estate scorsa. - Recurring Habits: To express habits on specific days, use the definite article (il lunedì) or the preposition di (di lunedì) rather than an articulated preposition.
Examples (6)
- Il primo uomo è atterrato sulla Luna nel 1969.
The first man landed on the Moon in 1969.
Word by Word: The first man is landed on-the Moon in-the 1969.
Years in Italian almost always require the articulated preposition 'nel' (in + il).
- Ci vediamo alle otto davanti al cinema.
We'll see each other at eight in front of the cinema.
Word by Word: Us see-each-other at-the eight in-front at-the cinema.
Clock times (except 1:00) use 'alle' because 'ore' (hours) is feminine plural.
- Il negozio è aperto dalle nove alle diciotto.
The shop is open from nine to six PM.
Word by Word: The shop is open from-the nine to-the eighteen.
To indicate a specific time range, use 'dalle... alle...'.
- Al mattino bevo sempre un caffè.
In the morning I always drink a coffee.
Word by Word: At-the morning drink-I always a coffee.
Parts of the day like 'mattino' or 'pomeriggio' often use articulated prepositions like 'al' or 'nel'.
- Siamo andati in Grecia nell'estate del 2015.
We went to Greece in the summer of 2015.
Word by Word: We are gone in Greece in-the-summer of-the 2015.
Seasons use articulated prepositions (nell'estate, nell'inverno) when they are specified by a year or adjective.
- La moda era molto diversa negli anni '70.
Fashion was very different in the 70s.
Word by Word: The fashion was very different in-the years '70.
Decades are plural, so we use 'negli' (in + gli).
Common Mistakes
Using the simple preposition 'in' for years like in English.
Sono nato in 1995.Sono nato nel 1995.In Italian, years are specific nouns that require the definite article, thus requiring the articulated form 'nel'.
Using the masculine 'al' instead of 'alle' for hours.
Il treno parte al cinque.Il treno parte alle cinque.Hours (ore) are feminine plural in Italian, so you must use 'a + le = alle'.
Failing to contract the preposition and article.
Vado in ufficio a le nove.Vado in ufficio alle nove.In Italian, articulated prepositions are mandatory; you cannot keep the preposition and article separate.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use articulated prepositions in time expressions, a learner must first understand how to combine simple prepositions with definite articles. Additionally, they need the vocabulary for time units, specifically months and cardinal numbers for years, to form complete temporal phrases.
Related Patterns
- Simple Prepositions
Simple prepositions are the building blocks used to create articulated prepositions.
Level 1 - Articulated (Contracted) Prepositions
This is the general system of combining prepositions and articles for all contexts, not just time.
Level 1 - che ore sonoTelling Time
Understanding how to tell time is necessary to use 'alle' and 'all'' correctly.
Level 1 - a / verso + Clock TimePrepositions for Clock Time (A/verso)
Focuses specifically on the prepositions used to indicate 'at' or 'around' a certain time.
Level 1 - Definite Article with Days for Habitual Actions
Explains why we use articles (and thus articulated prepositions) with days to show habits.
Level 2
Sources
Practice Articulated Prepositions in Time Expressions in Bubblegum
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