bossing people around using pronouns

A while ago we covered the Italian command form (or imperative) and the Italian object pronouns. Last week we saw how to use two object pronouns in the same sentence. Today we'll add one more ingredient to our linguistic minestrone by learning how to give commands using pronouns, how to say things like, "Tell me," "Bring it to her," and "Do it for me." Attention management types with Italian career ambitions: this is the lesson for you. Or use it to whip your Italian spouse into shape with his share of the housework!

All object pronouns, including combined versions, attach to the end of all imperatives but the Lei form. When used with the Lei form they go before it.

Portami il libro!

Portamelo!

Mi porti il libro signore.

Me lo porti signore.

Studiatelo bene ragazzi!

Scrivigli una bella lettera.

Scrivigliela.

With one-syllable tu forms of irregular imperatives - e.g. da' (give), di' (tell), fa' (do) - you double the first consonant of the pronoun, unless it’s gli (or glie).

Dammelo!

Dimmi!

Fallo!

Pronouns with negative imperatives

With negative imperatives the pronoun goes...

1. before the Lei form: Non lo dica.

2. attached to the noi and voi forms: Non diciamolo, non ditelo

3. before or attached to the tu form: Non lo dire, non dirlo.

The exercises tomorrow will clear up the blurry spots for you, or ask for help on the forum. Thanks for visiting www.tutorino.ca. Ciao for now!