Indirect object pronouns differ from direct object pronouns in that they answer the questions to whom? or for whom? Indirect object pronouns are used with transitive verbs. Examples of these verbs in English are to give or to take. Have a look at the following examples in which the direct object of each sentence is in bold and indirect object is in italics:
As you can see in the English examples above, an indirect object can either stand by itself (my friend), or be preceded by to or for.
In Italian, an indirect object must always be preceded by a preposition. If a pronoun is used as a substitute, you have two choices: a pronome personale indiretto: forma tonica or a pronome personale indiretto: forma atona.
Direct | Indirect and Direct |
| I sent the package. | I sent my friend the package. I sent the package for my friend. I sent the package to my friend. |
As you can see in the English examples above, an indirect object can either stand by itself (my friend), or be preceded by to or for.
In Italian, an indirect object must always be preceded by a preposition. If a pronoun is used as a substitute, you have two choices: a pronome personale indiretto: forma tonica or a pronome personale indiretto: forma atona.