Pronouns: Following a Verb

01

Pronouns with Infinitives

When a pronoun is the object of a verb in its infinitive form (-are, -ere, -ire), it attaches directly to the end. To do this, the final -e of the infinitive is dropped before adding the pronoun.

• È difficile capirlo.

  It's difficult to understand it.

• Vado a prenderla alla stazione.

  I'm going to pick her up at the station.

• Non dimenticare di chiamarmi.

  Don't forget to call me.

When an infinitive is used with a modal verb (like potere, volere, dovere) or a verb that begins a phrase (like cominciare a, finire di), the pronoun has two possible positions. It can either attach to the infinitive or be placed before the conjugated verb. Both forms are correct and commonly used.

• Posso aiutarti. / Ti posso aiutare.

  I can help you.

• Vogliamo vederlo. / Lo vogliamo vedere.

  We want to see it.

• Devi dirgli la verità. / Gli devi dire la verità.

  You have to tell him the truth.

02

Pronouns with Imperatives

With affirmative commands (telling someone to do something), pronouns must be attached to the end of the verb.

• Ascoltami!

  Listen to me!

• Prendilo!

  Take it!

• Aiutateci, per favore.

  Help us, please.

This rule applies only to affirmative commands. With negative commands (telling someone not to do something), the pronoun is placed before the verb, which remains in its infinitive form for the informal 'tu'.

• Non toccarlo!

  Don't touch it!

• Non mi dire bugie.

  Don't tell me lies.

Phonetic Doubling with 'Tu' Commands

For the informal 'tu' imperative, some short, one-syllable verbs cause the first consonant of the attached pronoun to double. This happens with dare (da'), dire (di'), fare (fa'), stare (sta'), and andare (va').

• Dammi la mano.

  Give me your hand. (from da' + mi)

• Fallo subito!

  Do it right away! (from fa' + lo)

• Dicci cosa pensi.

  Tell us what you think. (from di' + ci)

The pronoun gli (to him) is the only exception and never doubles its consonant.

• Digli di venire.

  Tell him to come.

Formal and Plural Commands

With the formal imperative (Lei) and the plural imperative (Loro), pronouns are not attached. Instead, they precede the verb, just as they do with negative commands.

• Mi dica pure.

  Go ahead and tell me. (formal)

• Si sieda, prego.

  Sit down, please. (formal)

03

Pronouns with Gerunds

Pronouns also attach to the end of gerunds (-ando, -endo).

• Vedendoti, mi sono ricordato di una cosa.

  Seeing you, I remembered something.

• Sto cercandolo da ore.

  I've been looking for it for hours.

• Ha risolto il problema parlandogli con calma.

  She solved the problem by speaking to him calmly.

Similar to modal verbs, when a gerund is part of the progressive tense (formed with stare), the pronoun can either attach to the gerund or precede the verb stare.

• La sto aspettando. / Sto aspettandola.

  I am waiting for her.

• Ci stiamo preparando. / Stiamo preparandoci.

  We are getting ready.

04

Combining Two Pronouns

When two pronouns are attached to a verb, the indirect object pronoun always comes before the direct object pronoun. The indirect pronouns mi, ti, ci, vi, and si change their vowel to '-e' (me, te, ce, ve, se) when followed by a direct object pronoun like lo, la, li, le, or ne.

• Puoi passarmelo?

  Can you pass it to me?

• Dobbiamo dirvelo.

  We have to tell it to you all.

The third-person indirect pronouns gli (to him) and le (to her) both combine with the direct object pronoun to form a single word starting with glie-.

• Glielo spiego domani.

  I'll explain it to him/her tomorrow.

• Daglielo!

  Give it to him/her!