Italian Phrase
L'esame è la prossima settimana.
Meaning
This sentence tells the listener that the exam will take place during the upcoming week. In Italian, the simple present can refer to a scheduled future event, making it sound natural and concise.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to inform classmates, teachers, or friends about the timing of an upcoming exam, especially in informal or semi‑formal academic conversations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'esameèlaprossimasettimana
Elision of the article
The definite article 'il' drops the vowel before a vowel-starting word, becoming 'l'' (e.g., 'l'esame').
Essere (è)
The verb 'essere' in the third person singular present ('è') is used to state a fact or a scheduled future event.
Agreement of adjective
The adjective 'prossima' agrees in gender and number with the noun 'settimana' (feminine singular).
Definite article with feminine noun
Use 'la' before feminine singular nouns like 'settimana'.
🗨In Conversation
L'esame è la prossima settimana.
The exam is next week.
Perfetto, ho ancora tempo per studiare.
Great, I still have time to study.
✕Common Mistakes
Il esame è la prossima settimana.
The article 'il' must elide before a vowel; use 'l'' instead.
L'esame è prossima settimana.
The noun 'settimana' needs its definite article 'la'.
L'esame sarà la prossima settimana.
While grammatically correct, native speakers prefer the present tense for scheduled near‑future events.
↔Alternatives
L'esame si terrà la prossima settimana.
The exam will be held next week.
L'esame è previsto per la prossima settimana.
The exam is scheduled for next week.
L'esame avrà luogo la prossima settimana.
The exam will take place next week.
Cultural Tip
In Italian schools and universities, exams are often clustered at the end of a term. Students usually discuss the exact date in advance, and using the present tense ('è') to refer to a near‑future event sounds natural and slightly more informal than the future tense ('sarà').