Advanced Prepositions

What Are Advanced Prepositions?

At B2 level, Italian uses a rich system of complex prepositional phrases that go well beyond simple prepositions like 'di', 'a', 'da', 'in', 'su'. These multi-word expressions — often called 'locuzioni preposizionali' — allow you to express nuance, formality, cause, purpose, concession, and precise spatial or temporal relationships. They are essential in written Italian, journalism, legal documents, academic texts, and professional communication. Mastering them will make your Italian sound natural and sophisticated.

Preposition + Infinitive Constructions

Many Italian prepositions link directly to infinitive verbs to express purpose, timing, contrast, or addition. These constructions are very common at B2 level: • Prima di + infinitive — before doing: Prima di firmare, leggete il contratto. (Before signing, read the contract.) • Dopo + past infinitive (aver/essere + participio) — after having done: Dopo aver studiato, è uscita. (After having studied, she went out.) • Invece di + infinitive — instead of doing: Invece di lamentarsi, trova una soluzione. (Instead of complaining, find a solution.) • Oltre a + infinitive — in addition to doing: Oltre a lavorare, studia musica. (In addition to working, she studies music.) • Anziché + infinitive — rather than doing: Anziché insistere, ascolta. (Rather than insisting, listen.) • Al fine di / allo scopo di + infinitive — in order to: Al fine di risparmiare, abbiamo ridotto le spese. (In order to save, we reduced spending.) • A forza di + infinitive — by dint of constantly doing: A forza di ripetere, ha imparato. (By constantly repeating, he learned.)

• Il decreto è stato approvato ai sensi dell'articolo 21. — The decree was approved pursuant to Article 21.
• In seguito alle proteste, il governo ha ritirato la proposta. — Following the protests, the government withdrew the proposal.
• Nonostante le difficoltà economiche, l'azienda è rimasta competitiva. — Despite the economic difficulties, the company remained competitive.
• Il rapporto è stato redatto in conformità alle linee guida europee. — The report was drafted in conformity with European guidelines.
• A differenza del suo predecessore, il nuovo direttore preferisce il dialogo. — Unlike his predecessor, the new director prefers dialogue.
• La decisione è stata presa di comune accordo tra le parti. — The decision was made by mutual agreement between the parties.
• Alla luce dei nuovi dati, la strategia dovrà essere rivista. — In the light of the new data, the strategy will need to be revised.
• Ha agito in buona fede, senza alcuna intenzione di ingannare. — She acted in good faith, with no intention of deceiving.
• Il progetto dovrà essere ultimato entro la fine del trimestre. — The project must be completed by the end of the quarter.
• Stando alle ultime stime, la crescita economica è in rallentamento. — According to the latest estimates, economic growth is slowing.

Nuanced Uses of 'da', 'per', 'in', and 'a'

Even simple prepositions have advanced uses at B2 level: • DA — agent in passive voice (Il libro è stato scritto da Calvino), duration from a past point (Vivo qui da tre anni), purpose/necessity with infinitive (Ho una lettera da leggere = I have a letter to read). • PER — duration of a completed action (Ho studiato per due ore), cause (Per inavvertenza = inadvertently), purpose with infinitive (Studio per imparare = I study to learn), in fixed expressions (Per conto mio = as far as I'm concerned; per caso = by chance). • IN — state or manner (In buona fede, in silenzio, in fretta), fixed formal phrases (In linea con, in merito a, in ottemperanza a), time span (In pochi minuti). • A — fixed expressions of manner (A voce, a mano, a piedi, a voto palese), purpose (Andiamo a mangiare), goal or destination of effort (Impegnarsi a fare, tenere a fare).