Questo corso spiega come usare l'imperativo con pronomi diretti e indiretti, ad esempio "Prendilo!" o "Spiegami!". Scopri la posizione dei pronomi e la formazione della negazione, come in "Non le scrivere".
  1. Direct and indirect pronouns follow the imperative, forming a single word.
Persona (Person)Imperativo (Imperative)Pronomi (Pronouns)Esempio (Example)
Tu (You)Prendi il quaderno! (Take the notebook!)+ pronome diretto (+ direct pronoun)Prendilo! (Takeit!)
Noi (We)Apriamo a lui la porta! (Let's open the door to him!)+ pronome indiretto (+ indirect pronoun)Apriamogli la porta! (Let's openhim the door!)
Voi (You)Portate i documenti! (Bring the documents!)+ pronome diretto (+ direct pronoun)Portateli! (Takethem!)
Tu (You)Spiega a me! (Explain to me!)+ pronome indiretto (+ indirect pronoun)Spiegami! (Explainme!)

Exceptions!

  1. The negative form is formed with non + pronoun + imperative. Example: "non le scrivere", "non le scrivete".

Exercise 1: L'imperativo con i pronomi

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Scrivetemi, Dillo, Aiutateci, Non mi dite, Portalo, Non lo dimenticate, Spiegale, Parlatemi

1. Porta + lo:
... ora, per favore.
(Portalo ora, per favore.)
2. Aiutate + ci:
... con questo progetto.
(Aiutateci con questo progetto.)
3. Scrivete + mi:
... se avete bisogno di un aiuto.
(Scrivetemi se avete bisogno di un aiuto.)
4. Parlate + mi:
... chiaramente.
(Parlatemi chiaramente.)
5. Non +dimenticate + lo:
..., è molto importante.
(Non lo dimenticate, è molto importante.)
6. Spiega + le:
... bene il lavoro, è appena arrivata.
(Spiegale bene il lavoro, è appena arrivata.)
7. Di' + lo:
... subito per fare chiarezza.
(Dillo subito per fare chiarezza.)
8. Non + dite + mi:
... bugie se volete risolvere il problema.
(Non mi dite bugie se volete risolvere il problema.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses the imperative with pronouns in the given situation.

1.
Error: the pronoun 'li' must be attached to the imperative without a space: 'portali'.
Pronoun error: 'le' is singular feminine, but it refers to documents (masculine plural), so it must be 'li'.
2.
Error: with the imperative, pronouns attach to the verb and are not used separately.
Error in construction: the preposition 'a' and the pronoun must be attached to the verb, not separate.
3.
Error: in negative form, the pronoun must go before the verb, not after ('non le scrivere' is correct).
Error: in negation, the pronoun must precede the imperative; either 'non' is missing or the order is incorrect.
4.
Error: 'lo' is masculine singular direct pronoun, incorrect for the indirect pronoun 'gli'.
Error: the pronoun 'gli' must be attached to the imperative without spaces: 'apriamogli'.

Understanding the Imperative with Pronouns in Italian

This lesson focuses on using the imperative mood in Italian combined with direct and indirect object pronouns. Mastering this topic is essential for giving clear, concise commands and requests that include pronouns directly attached to the verb.

What You Will Learn

  • How to form the imperative for different persons: tu, noi, and voi.
  • The correct placement and attachment of direct pronouns (e.g., lo, li) and indirect pronouns (e.g., mi, gli) with the imperative.
  • How pronouns connect to the verb in affirmative commands to form a single word, such as prendilo or spiegami.
  • The formation of negative commands using non + pronoun + imperative verb, e.g., non le scrivere.

Important Examples

  • Tu: Prendi il quaderno! becomes Prendilo! when attaching the direct pronoun.
  • Noi: Apriamo a lui la porta! becomes Apriamogli la porta! combining the indirect pronoun gli.
  • Voi: Portate i documenti! turns into Portateli! with the direct pronoun attached.
  • Negative form example: Non le scrivere senza autorizzazione.

Key Points to Remember

  • In affirmative imperatives, pronouns are attached directly to the verb, creating a single word.
  • With negative imperatives, pronouns come before the verb, preceded by non.
  • Pronouns may differ based on whether they are direct (e.g., lo, li) or indirect (e.g., mi, gli), and their position affects the verb form.

Comparison with English

Unlike English, where pronouns typically follow the verb and are separated, Italian imperative pronouns attach directly to the verb in affirmative commands. For example, English says "Bring them!" but Italian forms a single word: Portali!

In negative commands, English also places "not" before the verb and the object after ("Don't write them!"), while Italian places the pronoun before the verb after non (Non le scrivere!).

Useful Phrases and Expressions

  • Prendilo! – Take it!
  • Spiegami! – Explain to me!
  • Portateli! – Bring them!
  • Non le scrivere! – Don't write to her/them!
  • Apriamogli la porta! – Let's open the door for him!

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Saturday, 29/11/2025 17:21