Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Infinitive
When using an infinitive (like 'parlare' or 'vedere') with a pronoun (like 'lo' or 'mi'), the pronoun usually sticks to the end of the verb to form a single word: vederlo (to see it).
How It Works
In Italian, unstressed pronouns (clitics) such as direct objects, indirect objects, and ne follow specific placement rules with the infinitive mood.
1. The Attachment Rule
To attach a pronoun to an infinitive, you must remove the final -e of the verb:
- Vedere + lo = Vederlo (To see it)
- Scrivere + ti = Scriverti (To write to you)
- Parlare + ne = Parlarne (To talk about it)
2. Verbs in -rre
Verbs ending in -rre (like produrre or porre) drop their final -re:
- Produrre + lo = Produrlo (To produce it)
3. Combined Pronouns
When using combined pronouns, the entire block attaches to the end as one unit. Note that the first pronoun changes its ending to -e:
- Dire + mi + lo = Dirmelo (To tell it to me)
4. The 'Loro' Exception
The pronoun loro (to them) is an exception. It is never attached to the infinitive and remains a separate word:
- Voglio dire loro la verità (I want to tell them the truth).
5. Dual Positioning (Modal and Aspectual Verbs)
When an infinitive follows modal verbs or aspectual verbs (like stare per, andare a, or venire a), you have two choices:
- Enclisis: Attach to the infinitive (Voglio vederlo / Sto per farlo).
- Proclisis: Place before the main verb (Lo voglio vedere / Lo sto per fare).
6. Causative Verbs (Fare and Lasciare)
With causative fare and lasciare, the pronoun must go with the causative verb (as in farlo riparare), not with the second infinitive. It cannot be attached to the infinitive that follows:
- Lo faccio riparare (I have it repaired).
- Ti lascio andare (I let you go).
7. Verbs of Perception
With verbs of perception (like vedere or sentire), the pronoun typically precedes the main verb. If the main verb is in a compound tense (like the passato prossimo), the pronoun precedes the auxiliary and the past participle must agree with it:
- Li sento cantare (I hear them singing).
- Le ho viste ballare (I saw them dancing).
8. Negative Imperative (tu)
In the negative informal imperative for 'tu', which uses the infinitive, the pronoun can also go in either position:
- Non farlo! or Non lo fare! (Don't do it!)
Examples (6)
- È importante farlo subito.
It is important to do it immediately.
Word by Word: It is important to do-it immediately.
The pronoun 'lo' (it) attaches to 'fare' (to do), which drops its final 'e' to become 'farlo'.
- Spero di incontrarti domani.
I hope to meet you tomorrow.
Word by Word: I hope of to meet-you tomorrow.
The pronoun 'ti' (you) attaches to 'incontrare' (to meet).
- Non posso dirtelo adesso.
I cannot tell it to you now.
Word by Word: Not I can to tell-you-it now.
Here, the combined pronoun 'te lo' (it to you) attaches to 'dire'. Note that 'ti' becomes 'te' in combined forms.
- Lo faccio riparare domani.
I'll have it repaired tomorrow.
Word by Word: It I make to repair tomorrow.
With causative verbs like 'fare', the pronoun 'lo' must precede the main verb and cannot attach to the infinitive.
- Senza parlarne, non risolveremo nulla.
Without talking about it, we won't solve anything.
Word by Word: Without to talk-of-it, not we will solve nothing.
The particle 'ne' (about it) attaches to the infinitive 'parlare'.
- Li ho sentiti cantare.
I heard them singing.
Word by Word: Them I have heard to sing.
With verbs of perception, the pronoun 'li' precedes the main verb 'sentire' rather than attaching to the infinitive.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to drop the final -e of the infinitive.
Voglio vedere-lo.Voglio vederlo.You must always drop the final 'e' of the infinitive before adding the pronoun. 'Vedere lo' is incorrect; it must be 'vederlo'.
Placing the pronoun between a modal verb and an infinitive.
Voglio lo fare.Lo voglio fare. / Voglio farlo.The pronoun must either go before the modal verb or at the end of the infinitive. It can never sit in the middle.
Attaching the pronoun to the infinitive in causative constructions.
Faccio ripararlo.Lo faccio riparare.In causative constructions with 'fare' or 'lasciare', the pronoun must precede the causative verb; it cannot be attached to the infinitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn pronoun placement with the infinitive, you first need to be comfortable with the forms of direct and indirect object pronouns. You also need to understand the basic structure of verb-plus-infinitive constructions, particularly with modal verbs (potere, dovere, volere), as these are the primary environments where this placement rule applies.
- mi / ti / lo / la / ci / vi / li / leDirect Object Pronouns
Learners must first understand what clitic pronouns are and how they function as direct objects before learning their specific placement with infinitives.
Level 1 - Verb + Infinitive
Understanding how verbs can be followed by an infinitive is essential, as this pattern describes how pronouns interact with that infinitive form.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- potere / dovere / volereModal Verbs (Potere, Dovere, Volere)
Modal verbs allow the pronoun to either attach to the infinitive or move to the front of the sentence.
Level 1 - Combined Object Pronouns (Full System)
Explains how multiple pronouns (like 'me' + 'lo') behave when they attach to a verb together.
Level 3 - fare + InfinitiveCausative 'Fare' + Infinitive
A specific construction where pronoun placement rules differ from standard infinitives.
Level 3 - Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Imperative
The imperative mood uses a similar 'enclitic' (attached to the end) placement for pronouns.
Level 3 - ne (partitivo)Partitive 'Ne'
The particle 'ne' follows the same attachment rules as other clitic pronouns.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Sources
Practice Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Infinitive in Bubblegum
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