Pronomi
How to use Italian pronouns
A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun.
In Italian there are:
In Italian there are:
Subject pronouns
Direct pronouns
The direct object pronoun get acted upon by the verb and answer the question what? or whom?
There are two types of direct object pronouns:
- ones that go before the verb;
- ones that go after the verb.
E.g. the sentece "La ragazza incontra il professore" can be expressed as follows:
There are two types of direct object pronouns:
- ones that go before the verb;
- ones that go after the verb.
E.g. the sentece "La ragazza incontra il professore" can be expressed as follows:
Remember that when using a direct object pronoun with a compound verb, the last letter of the verb must agree with the direct object pronoun.
Example:
Example:
Indirect pronouns
The indirect object pronouns answer questions like 'to whom?', 'for whom?', 'with whom?', 'about whom?'...
Just like the direct pronouns, there are two types of indirect object pronouns:
- ones that go after the verb
- ones that go before the verb
Example:
Just like the direct pronouns, there are two types of indirect object pronouns:
- ones that go after the verb
- ones that go before the verb
Example:
Reflexive pronouns
The reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs.
In the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun is added at the end of the verb [e.g. lavare (to wash) + si (oneself) = lavarsi (to wash oneself)].
In the conjugated forms it is before the verb, except with the modal verbs: in that case it could be also added at the ending of the depending infinitive verb.
Example:
In the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun is added at the end of the verb [e.g. lavare (to wash) + si (oneself) = lavarsi (to wash oneself)].
In the conjugated forms it is before the verb, except with the modal verbs: in that case it could be also added at the ending of the depending infinitive verb.
Example:
In some cases the reflexive pronouns are used to give a passive meaning to the active form of the verbs.
Examples:
Examples:
Quiz
Reflexive pronouns
Choose the correct option
| Start |
Mi lavo
| Next |
Si guardano negli occhi
| Next |
Deve lavarsi
| Next |
Devono lavarsi
| Next |
Ci alziamo
| Next |
Studia!
You better study again
| Ricomincia |
Devi ripassare
You should go over this topic
| Ricomincia |
Ottimo lavoro!
Good job!
| Ricomincia |
Pronomi combinati
Si parla di pronomi combinati quando due pronomi atoni (uno diretto e uno indiretto) si trovano nella stessa frase. Nei tempi finiti e nell'imperativo formale il pronome indiretto precede il pronome diretto.
Example:
Example:
Con l'infinito, il gerundio, il participio e l'imperativo informale i pronomi doppi seguono il verbo e formano con esso un'unica parola:
Example:
Example:
Attenzione: l'infinito perde la e finale quando è seguito da un pronome doppio:
Example:
Example: