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Position of personal pronouns

Except in a few cases, the pronoun objects given in the previous section precede the verb.

Lo conosco. — I know him.

Ci chiamano. — They are calling us.

La conoscete? — Do you know her?

NOTE: When the verb begins with a vowel, the pronouns mi, ti, lo, and la (others less commonly) often drop their final vowel and take an apostrophe.

Egli t’ammira. — He admires you.

Essa m’ascolta. — She listens to me.

Exceptions to the rule stated above (personal pronouns preceding the verb) include:

1. When the pronoun is the object of an infinitive. In that case the pronoun object follows the infinitive and is written as one word with it, after the final –e of the infinitive is dropped. (This is identical to what happens with reflexive pronouns.)

Desidero (di) conoscerli. — I wish to know (meet) them.

Egli promette di farlo. — He promises to do it. 

Vado al cinema per divertirmi. — I go to the movies to have a good time.

2. When the pronoun is the object of a present participle.

Vedendola, egli sorrise. — Seeing her, he smiled.

3.  When the pronoun is the object of a true imperative. 

Mangialo! – Eat it!

Mangiamolo! – Let’s eat it!

Mangiatelo! –  Eat it (you-plural)!

VOCABULARY A

Review the items you know, and learn the rest.

VOCABULARY B