a / verso + Clock Time

Prepositions for Clock Time (A/verso)

Level 1

In Italian, we use the preposition a (at) to indicate a specific time and verso (around/towards) to indicate an approximate time. Most hours require a definite article (usually le).

How It Works

To tell someone when an event happens or to describe a time range, you need to combine prepositions with the time.

1. Asking 'At What Time?'
To ask when something happens, use the phrase A che ora?.

2. Using 'A' (Exact Time)
The preposition a usually combines with the feminine plural article le (for ore) to become alle.

alle + [hour]: alle tre (at three).
all' + una: Since 1:00 is singular, use all'una.
a + mezzogiorno/mezzanotte: No article is used for noon or midnight.

3. Using 'Da... A...' (Time Ranges)
To say 'from... to...', use da and a. Both usually become articulated prepositions: dalle nove alle cinque. For one o'clock, use dall'una. Note that articles are dropped for noon and midnight: da mezzogiorno a mezzanotte.

4. Expressing Approximation
To say 'around' or 'towards', you can use verso, intorno a, or the articulated preposition sulle.

verso le / sulle + [hour]: sulle dieci (around ten).
intorno alle + [hour]: intorno alle quattro (around four).

5. Verb Agreement
When stating the time, the verb essere must agree with the number: use è for l'una, mezzogiorno, and mezzanotte; use sono for all other hours (sono le due).

Examples (6)

A che ora inizia la lezione?
At what time does the lesson start?
Word by Word: At what hour starts the lesson?
To ask 'At what time?', we use the question form 'A che ora?'.
Il treno parte alle otto e trenta.
The train leaves at 8:30.
Word by Word: The train departs at-the eight and thirty.
We use 'alle' (a + le) because 8:30 is a specific, scheduled time.
Lavoro dall'una alle cinque.
I work from one to five.
Word by Word: I-work from-the one to-the five.
For 1:00, we use the singular articulated preposition 'dall'una' (da + l'una).
Ci vediamo sulle dieci per l'aperitivo.
We'll see each other around ten for the aperitivo.
Word by Word: Us see on-the ten for the aperitivo.
The preposition 'sulle' (su + le) is a common way to express an approximate time, similar to 'around'.
Il negozio è aperto da mezzogiorno a mezzanotte.
The shop is open from noon to midnight.
Word by Word: The shop is open from noon to midnight.
When using 'mezzogiorno' or 'mezzanotte' in a range, the definite article is omitted.
Sono le tre, ma è l'una a New York.
It is three o'clock, but it is one o'clock in New York.
Word by Word: They-are the three, but is the one at New York.
Remember that the verb 'essere' must be plural for all hours except one, noon, and midnight.

Common Mistakes

Omitting the definite article with hours.
Vado a casa a tre.
Vado a casa alle tre.
In Italian, you must use the article 'le' with hours 2 through 24. 'A' must combine with 'le' to become 'alle'.
Using the plural article with 1:00 (l'una).
Ci vediamo alle una.
Ci vediamo all'una.
Since 'una' is singular, you must use the singular article 'l'', resulting in 'all'una'.
Combining 'a' and 'verso' together.
Arrivo a verso le cinque.
Arrivo verso le cinque.
'Verso' is a preposition on its own; it does not need 'a' in front of it.

How It Connects

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

a / verso + Clock TimeLevel 1Prepositions for Clock Time (A/verso)

Learn This First

To use prepositions with clock time, you first need to know how to state the time in Italian (using 'le' for hours). You also need to understand how simple prepositions work and how 'a' contracts with the definite article 'le' to form 'alle' for specific time indications.

Words in This Pattern

verso

Sources

Practice a / verso + Clock Time in Bubblegum

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