Indirect Object Pronouns Flashcards
What is an indirect object?
Answers “to whom” or “for whom” an action is done
Ex: the professor hands back the exams to the students. Students are the indirect objects
What always precedes an indirect object in Italian?
A preposition always.
Typically “a”, but sometimes “per”
Ex: Dà lo scontrino a Mario (He is giving the receipt to Mario)
He is giving the receipt to Mario
Dà lo scontrino a Mario
She only offered you some cake
Ha offerto della torta solo a te.
Did you make a snack for me?
Hai preparato uno spuntino per me?
Did you offer coffee for us?
Hai chiesto il è
What are the indirect object pronouns?
mi (to, for) me
ti (to, for) you
Le (to, for) you / formal (masc & fem)
gli (to, for) him
le (to, for) her
ci (to, for) us
vi (to, for) you
gli (to, for) them *loro = older way to say it, gli is more modern
Where do indirect objects pronouns go in a sentence?
What is the exception?
- Precede a conjugated verb
- Attached to an infinitive
Exception: Loro
Loro always places it after the verb. Do not attach it to infinitives.
*modern use = gli is preferred way to express to/from them
The cook never prepares the dessert for him
Il cuoco non gli prepara mai il dolce
You have to give her a good tip
Devi darle una buona mancia
Giorgia shows us how to cook lasagna
Giorgia ci mostra come cucinare le lasagne
Can you give me back the espresso cup?
Puoi restituirmi la tazzina?
Do past participles agree in gender or number with indirect object pronouns?
No, they do not change with number or gender
Indirect objects are used with Piacere. What is important to remember?
The thing being liked is the subject of the sentence
The professor is handing back the exams to the students
La professoressa restituisce gli esame agli studenti
agli studenti = indirect object
“agli” = preposition always precedes indirect object
I’m sendng a postcard to Marco
Mando una cartolina a Marco
Marco = indirect object
“a” = preposition always precedes indirect object
I’m sending a postcard to him
Gli mando una cartolina
Are you calling mom today?
I’ll call her in the afternoon
Telefoni alla mamma oggi?
Le telefono nel pomeriggio
Alla mamma = indirect object (with “a”)
Le = indirect object pronoun / goes before conjugated verb
Can you tell me where the shop is?
Puoi dirmi dov’è il negozio?
mi = indirect obj pronoun. Attaches to verb b/c used with potere
I give her flowers for her birthday
Le regalo i fiori per il suo compleanoon
Le = indirect object pronoun goes before conjugated verb.
I’ll lend him the care for just a few hours
Gli presto la macchina solo per qualche ora
Gli = indirect obj pronoun goes before conjugated verb.
Can you tell us where the theater is?
Può dirci dov’è il teatro?
dirCI = Ci is indirect obj pronoun attached to infinitive verb “dire”
He’s sorry because he can’t help you.
Gli dispiace perché non ti può aiutare.
Gli = indirect object pronoun precedes
I like pizza
Mi piace la pizza
Mi = indirect obj pronoun precedes conjugated verb.
Piace = pizza is pleasing, so agrees with pizza
