italiano · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Pronoun placement with modals, infinitives, and commands
Choose between a pre-modal pronoun and attachment to the infinitive; attach it to positive commands.
Understand the choice
Pronoun meaning stays the same across two standard placements. Infinitive attachment removes final -e, while a positive command may double some consonants: dimmi, fammi.
Core rule: With modal + infinitive, an unstressed pronoun may precede the modal or attach to the infinitive; positive commands attach pronouns.
Notice it in context
Lo posso spiegare adesso oppure posso spiegarlo dopo.
I can explain it now or explain it later.
Lo precedes posso in the first clause; -lo attaches to spiegare as spiegarlo in the second.
Portami il documento, per favore.
Bring me the document, please.
Mi attaches to positive tu command porta.
Non voglio comprarla oggi.
I do not want to buy it today.
La attaches to infinitive comprare after final -e drops.
What to remember
- Negative tu commands often use non + infinitive with attached pronoun: non comprarla.
- Formal Lei commands place pronouns before: me lo dica.
Common trap: Do not retain final -e before attachment: spiegare + lo → spiegarlo.