Pronouns: Indirect Objects — Italian Grammar

Indirect object pronouns replace a noun that answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?" an action is done. They are used to avoid repeating the full noun phrase.

For example, instead of saying "I am writing a letter to Paolo," you can say "I am writing him a letter." The pronoun "him" replaces "to Paolo."

Unstressed Indirect Object Pronouns

These are the most common forms and are typically placed before the verb. They are also known as "atoni" or weak pronouns.

to me:
to you (informal):
to him:
to her:
to You (formal):
to us:
to you all:
to them: or

Note on "to them"

The pronoun is now commonly used to mean "to them" for all genders in modern spoken Italian. The pronoun also means "to them" but is more traditional and is always placed after the verb.

Gli ho dato il mio numero.
I gave him/them my number.
Ho dato loro il mio numero.
I gave them my number. (more formal)

Placement of Unstressed Pronouns

The position of these pronouns depends on the form of the verb.

1. Before a Conjugated Verb

This is the standard placement for verbs in tenses like the present, future, or imperfect. In compound tenses like the , the pronoun comes before the auxiliary verb ( or ).

Ti telefono più tardi.
I'll call you later.
Ci hanno offerto un caffè.
They offered us a coffee.
Le scriveva ogni giorno.
He used to write to her every day.

2. Attached to an Infinitive

When a verb is in its infinitive form (ending in , , or ), the pronoun is attached to the end. The final "-e" of the infinitive is dropped.

Voglio parlarti di una cosa.
I want to talk to you about something.
È importante dirgli la verità.
It's important to tell him the truth.

When an infinitive follows a modal verb (like , , ), the pronoun can either attach to the infinitive or be placed before the modal verb. Both are correct.

Posso aiutarti?
Can I help you?
Ti posso aiutare?
Can I help you?

3. Attached to an Imperative (Command)

For positive commands, the pronoun is attached to the end of the verb.

Scrivimi presto!
Write to me soon!
Diteci cosa pensate!
Tell us what you think!

With some short imperative forms (, , , , ), the first consonant of the pronoun is doubled.

Dammi la mano!
Give me your hand!
Dille di non preoccuparsi.
Tell her not to worry.

For negative commands with , the pronoun is placed before the verb.

Non mi telefonare stasera.
Don't call me tonight.

Stressed Indirect Object Pronouns

Stressed pronouns () are used for emphasis, contrast, or clarification. They are formed with the preposition followed by the pronoun and are usually placed after the verb.

to me:
to you (informal):
to him:
to her:
to You (formal):
to us:
to you all:
to them:

Compare the difference in emphasis:

Mi piace il gelato.
I like ice cream. (neutral statement)
A me piace il gelato, ma a lui no.
I like ice cream, but he doesn't. (emphasis/contrast)
Il regalo è per te.
The gift is for you.

Combining with Direct Object Pronouns

When an indirect object pronoun is used with a direct object pronoun (, , , ), some changes occur. The indirect pronoun comes first.

The pronouns , , , and change their final "-i" to "-e".

The third-person pronouns , , and all become and combine into a single word with the direct object pronoun.

Hai il mio libro? Sì, te lo porto domani.
Do you have my book? Yes, I'll bring it to you tomorrow.
Hai detto la novità a Maria? No, non gliel'ho ancora detta.
Did you tell Maria the news? No, I haven't told it to her yet.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Italian course

40 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 42. A few of them, with the words “Pronouns: Indirect Objects” is about in bold:

Non ti vedevo da nove anni!
I haven't seen you for nine years!
Lesson 175

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