Position of unstressed pronouns
10 When the imperative is used in an affirmative sentence with an unstressed
pronoun (direct object, indirect object, reflexive, ne, ci), the pronoun is always
attached to the verb if it is in a second person form (tu or voi) or the first
person plural form (noi):
Note that when an unstressed pronoun is used with the forms da’, fa’, di’, sta’
and va’ (see paragraph 6), the first consonant of the pronoun (except gli) is
doubled:
In negative sentences, there is an extra option: the pronoun can be placed
before the verb (and after non):
11 In the polite form (third person singular and plural, Lei and Loro), the
pronouns are always placed before the verb:
Quel libro è per te: prendilo.
Chiediamole aiuto.
Se hai dei problemi, parlane.Alzatevi, ragazzi!
Telefonagli (or Telefona loro – see
Unit 10, paragraph 2).That book is for you: take it.
Let’s ask her for help.
If you are having problems, talk about
them.
Get up, boys!
Phone them.Se sai la verità, dilla!
Dammi la penna!
Danne un po’ a tuo fratello.
Fammi un piacere.
Vallo a comprare!
Vacci subito.
Dille la verità.
Digli la verità.If you know the truth, tell it!
Give me the pen!
Give some to your brother.
Do me a favour.
Go and buy it!
Go there at once.
Tell her the truth.
Tell him the truth.Non lo prendere! or Non prenderlo!
Non le chiediamo aiuto. or Non
chiediamole aiuto.
Non ne parlare! or Non parlarne!
Non vi alzate! or Non alzatevi!Don’t take it!
Let’s not ask her for help.Don’t talk about it!
Don’t get up!Quel libro è per Lei: lo prenda.
Le scriva una mail.
Ne parlino al controllore.
Si alzi, Signora!That book is for you: take it.
Write her an email.
Speak to the conductor about it.
Get up(, Madam)!