Italian Pronouns

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns indicate who or what is carrying out the action of the verb.
Italian subject pronouns are: io (I), tu (you singular informal), lui/lei (he/she), esso/essa (it), noi (we), voi (you plural or formal singular), loro (them).
Contrary to English, it is often optional to use subject pronouns in Italian since the verb ending usually indicates the subject.

Direct Object Pronouns

Direct object pronouns replace a direct object noun and answer questions such as ‘who?’ or ‘what?’.
The direct object pronouns are: mi (me), ti (you singular informal), lo (him, it), la (her, it), ci (us), vi (you plural or formal singular), li/le (them).
Direct Object pronouns generally precede the verb: ‘Ti vedo’ (I see you).
In compound tenses and with modal verbs, they can either precede the helping verb or attach to the past participle/infinitive: ‘L’ho visto’ or ‘Ho visto lui’ (I saw him).

Indirect Object Pronouns

Indirect object pronouns replace an indirect object noun and are used with verbs that take ‘to’ or ‘for’ in English.
The indirect object pronouns are mi (to/for me), ti (to/for you singular informal), gli (to/for him, it), le (to/for her, it), ci (to/for us), vi (to/for you plural or formal singular), loro (to/for them).
Unlike direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns cannot attach to a past participle.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns indicate possession or ownership.
They are, like the possessive adjectives, based on the subject pronouns: il mio, la mia (mine), il tuo, la tua (yours), etc.
They agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to and are usually preceded by the definite article.

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same.
The reflexive pronouns are: mi (myself), ti (yourself singular informal), si (himself, herself, itself), ci (ourselves), vi (yourself formal singular, yourselves), si (themselves).

Remember to always refer back to your grammar notes and try out different exercises to reinforce your understanding. Practise using each type of pronoun in the correct context.