Prepositions

Question 1

a versus in
(Espresso 5)

Answer 1

Preposition a is used with or without articles and indicates one’s DESTINATION or PLACE WHERE ONE IS.
Preposition n is (1) before some places such as biblioteca, chiesa, centro, ufficio and before ALL THE WORDS ENDING IN -ia (farmacia, macelleria, pizzeria). (2) also indicates MODES OF TRANSPORTATION used to reach or leave a place.

Vado a casa (destination) in bicicletta (mode) o in autobus (mode).
BUT
Torno a casa a piedi.

a + il = al
a + lo = allo
a + la = alla
a + l’ = all’
a + i = ai
a + gli = agli
a + le = alle