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)ImperativoPronomiEsempio
Tu (You)Prendi il quaderno!+ pronome diretto (+ direct pronoun)Prendilo!
Noi (We)Apriamo a lui la porta!+ pronome indiretto (+ indirect pronoun)Apriamogli la porta!
Voi (You)Portate i documenti! (Bring the documents!)+ pronome diretto (+ direct pronoun)Portateli! (Takethem!)
Tu (You)Spiega a me!+ pronome indiretto (+ indirect pronoun)Spiegami!

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.
(Bring it now, please.)
2. Aiutate + ci:
... con questo progetto.
(Help us with this project.)
3. Scrivete + mi:
... se avete bisogno di un aiuto.
(Write to me if you need help.)
4. Parlate + mi:
... chiaramente.
(Speak to me clearly.)
5. Non +dimenticate + lo:
..., è molto importante.
(Do not forget it, it is very important.)
6. Spiega + le:
... bene il lavoro, è appena arrivata.
(Explain the job to her properly, she has just arrived.)
7. Di' + lo:
... subito per fare chiarezza.
(Say it immediately to be clear.)
8. Non + dite + mi:
... bugie se volete risolvere il problema.
(Don't tell me lies if you want to solve the problem.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that appropriately uses the imperative with pronouns in the indicated situation.

1.
Error: the pronoun 'li' must be attached to the imperative without space: 'portali'.
Pronoun error: 'le' is feminine singular, but it refers to documents (masculine plural), it should be 'li'.
2.
Error: with the imperative, pronouns join the verb, they are not used separately.
Construction error: the preposition 'a' and the pronoun must join the verb, not be separate.
3.
Error: in the negative form the pronoun goes 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 wrong.
4.
Error: 'lo' is a masculine singular direct pronoun, not correct 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:

Thursday, 28/08/2025 14:08