The Imperative Mood and Object Pronouns

We often use object pronouns with the imperative in English. For example, Bring me the newspaper! or Don't worry about it! or Give her the news!

Following is a set of rules governing the use of object pronouns and the imperative in Italian.

• When accompanying the imperative, object pronouns attach to the verb in the tu, noi, and voi forms of the verb.
  
  

  Portaci il vino! Bring us the wine! Guardiamolo insieme! Let's look at it together! Chiamatemi quando volete. Call me when you want!

  
  
• When you add an object pronoun to an infinitive form--used in the negative imperative for the informal second person--the final e is dropped from the verb.
  
  

  Non mangiarlo! Don't eat it! Non toccarmi! Don't touch me!

  
  
• When pronouns attach to the tu forms of andare, dare, dire, fare and stare, the first consonant of the pronoun is doubled, except when using the pronoun gli.
  
  

  Vacci subito! Go there right away! Dammelo! Give it to me! Daglielo! Give it to him! Diccelo! Tell it to us! Fallo! Do it! Stammi a sentire! Listen to me!

  
  
• When using the formal imperative forms, do not attach the object pronoun; put it in front of the verb.
  
  

  Ci porti il vino! Bring us the wine. Lo dica! Say it! Lo comprino! Buy it!