In this lesson on "I pronomi combinati," you will learn how to combine indirect and direct object pronouns like "mi" to "me" and "lo" to create forms such as "me lo" or "gliela." Master the placement before verbs and their fusion before vowels for fluent Italian conversation.
- They are formed with the formula: indirect pronoun + direct pronoun.
- The pronouns mi, ti, ci, vi become me, te, ce, ve.
- Combined pronouns are always placed before the verb.
| Pronome indiretto | Pronome diretto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| + Lo | +La | + Li | + Le | |
| Mi | Me lo | Me la | Me li | Me le |
| Ti | Te lo | Te la | Te li | Te le |
| Gli / le | Glielo | Gliela | Glieli | Gliele |
| Ci | Ce lo | Ce la | Ce li | Ce le |
| Vi | Ve lo | Ve la | Ve li | Ve le |
| Gli | Glielo | Gliela | Glieli | Gliele |
Exceptions!
- Combined pronouns attach to the verb when it is in the infinitive form. Example: Marco mi vuole dare un libro -> vuole darmelo
- In front of words that begin with a vowel or "h", lo, la become l': me l', te l', ce l', ve l', gliel'.
Exercise 1: I pronomi combinati
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Gliele, Glieli, ve lo, Me lo, Ce le, Te l', Te la
1.
Mi + lo:
... puoi portare, per favore?
(Can you bring it to me, please?)
2.
Ti + la:
... hanno data ieri.
(They gave it to you yesterday.)
3.
Gli + li:
... ho mostrati con calma.
(I showed them to him calmly.)
4.
Ci + le:
... hanno mandate ieri.
(They sent them to her yesterday.)
5.
Vi + lo:
Il macellaio ... porta subito.
(The butcher will bring it to you immediately.)
6.
Mi + lo:
... dai ora che sono al centro commerciale?
(Can you give it to me now that I am at the shopping centre?)
7.
Ti + la:
... mostro ora la cartolina.
(I'll show you the postcard now.)
8.
Le + le:
... porto con piacere.
(I am happy to take them to you.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that appropriately uses combined pronouns in everyday contexts, especially related to local services and shops.
1.
Wrong order of the pronouns; the correct form is 'me lo dà', without separating the pronouns.
Accent error on 'dà' and wrong order of pronouns ('mi da lo' instead of 'me lo dà').
2.
Error in the order of combined pronouns; it must be indirect pronoun + direct pronoun, so 'te la porto'.
Wrong order of pronouns ('ti la' instead of 'te la') and preposition 'for' unsuitable for the context.
3.
Error in the indirect pronoun that does not transform into 'ce' before a vowel and wrong order of pronouns.
Incorrect pronoun; for third person plural 'glielo' is used, and 'ce l'' is correct before a vowel.
4.
'gli lo' not correctly combined: 'gli lo' must join into 'glielo' and be placed before the verb.
Wrong order of pronouns; 'lo' and 'gli' must combine forming 'glielo'.
