Word Order Options with Modal Verbs and Object Pronouns

Object pronouns can be very tricky to use because there isn’t just one way to construct a phrase. Especially when dealing with modal verbs, which go hand in hand with infinitives, the object pronoun can go either before the conjugated verb or after the infinitive. The trick is that, as we shall see, the pronoun actually gets attached to the infinitive, which loses its final e.

Let's look at an example.

Here, the object pronoun comes just before the conjugated verb volere, which is modal.

Possiamo dire: ho comprato un'auto nuova. La vuoi vedere?

We can say, "I bought a new car. Do you want to see it?"

Captions 58-60, Marika spiega - I pronomi diretti
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Here, on the other hand, the object pronoun not only follows the infinitive, it's attached to it. In order to attach it, the final e of the infinitive vedere is omitted.

Oppure: ho comprato un'auto nuova. Vuoi vederla?

Or else, "I bought a new car. Do you want to see it?"

Captions 61-62, Marika spiega - I pronomi diretti
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Practice:

There are several pieces of dialogue in a recent episode of Commisario Manara that lend themselves to having their word order changed as explained above. Why not give it a try, and consult the solutions at the bottom of the page to check your answers. If this is new to you, then go right to the solutions, and see how they differ from the examples.

First, find the elements: the conjugated verb (likely modal), the infinitive verb, and the object pronoun. The next step is to rephrase the sentence, changing the position of the pronoun.

1)

Eh, me lo potevi dire anche domani in ufficio, no?

Uh, you could have told me that at the office tomorrow, couldn't you?

Caption 5, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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2)

Hai detto delle cose bellissime. Non scordarle. Funzionano.

You said some very beautiful things. Don't forget them. They work.

Captions 27-28, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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3)

Però non voglio, io non voglio perderti.

However, I don't want, I don't want to lose you.

Caption 11, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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4/5)

Lasciami lavorare.

Let me work on it.

Appena ho i risultati, te li vengo a riferire.

As soon as I have the results, I'll come to report them to you.

Caption 22, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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6)

Va be', buona notte e scusami tanto per prima, eh.

All right, good night, and sorry for before.

-Non devi scusarti.

-You don't have to apologize.

Captions 25-26, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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7/8)

E di che cosa mi volevi parlare?

And what did you want to talk to me about?

Ti volevo parlare di una situazione finanziaria.

I wanted to talk to you about a financial situation.

Captions 36-37, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne
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Here are the examples and their solutions, for a quick comparison.

1)
Eh, me lo potevi dire anche domani in ufficio, no?
Eh, potevi dirmelo anche domani in ufficio, no?

2)
Hai detto delle cose bellissime. Non scordarle. Funzionano.
Hai detto delle cose bellissime. Non le scordare. Funzionano.

3)
Però non voglio, io non voglio perderti.
Però non voglio, io non ti voglio perdere.

4)
Lasciami lavorare.
Mi lasci lavorare?

5)
Lasciami lavorare. Appena ho i risultati, te li vengo a riferire.
Lasciami lavorare. Appena ho i risultati, vengo a riferirteli.

6)
Va be', buona notte e scusami tanto per prima, eh. -Non devi scusarti.
Va be', buona notte e scusami tanto per prima, eh. -Non ti devi scusare.

7)
E di che cosa mi volevi parlare?
E di che cosa volevi parlarmi?

8)
Ti volevo parlare di una situazione finanziaria.
Volevo parlarti di una situazione finanziaria.

Don't forget to read the examples out loud to see how they feel!

As you follow this and other videos, and as you start speaking in Italian, hopefully, you'll start to feel comfortable with these different word order options.You’ll start noticing these constructions in most videos you look at.

Topics Grammar