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What is the word order in Italian?

By: Miriam Muccione Fri Aug 30 2024
Italian
Sentences, Sentence Structure

Both English and Italian are SVO languages, which means that their typical sentence starts with a subject, which is followed by a verb and the object (if it is required) comes last. For example:

subjectverbobject

Simona scrive un messagio.

Simona writes a message.

SVO is the most basic Italian sentence structure and, once you master it, you can little by little build more complex phrases. In this post we will cover where different parts of speech are placed, depending on their function (subject, object, etc.) or their relationship to other words in a sentence.

So, let’s build our way up to Italian word order starting from the basics!

Table of Contents

    The basics: What is the word order for affirmative sentences in Italian?

    As mentioned before, basic Italian affirmative sentences (those that make a statement) have three elements, appearing in the order S‑V‑O:

    Subject
    a noun or pronoun
    that performs the action

    Verb
    expressing the action
    the subject performs

    Object
    destination of the action,
    which can be a noun or pronoun

    Raffaella guarda la televisione.

    Raffaella watches TV.

    This basic structure works for affirmative sentences and negative sentences, as well as yes/no questions.

    Other elements can be added to basic SVO sentences, such as an indirect object, a complement clause, or adverbial phrase.

    Tip

    Note that, in Italian, we play around with word order a lot, as a way to create ✨ emphasis ✨ or to stress a certain piece of information. This means that the basic SVO scheme is often reinterpreted when we want to emphasize something in a conversation. In particular, you will notice that the beginning and end of the sentence are key positions where we want to make sure that something is clear and stands out.

    Implicit subjects: What to do when the subject is a pronoun?

    When the subject of a sentence is a pronoun, in Italian it is often left implicit, which means that the “subject position” can be left empty.

    So, for instance, if the sentence is Io guardo la televisione, the subject pronoun io can be omitted in Italian.

    verbobject

    Guardo la televisione.

    (I) watch TV.

    The reason why we can do that in Italian is because the verb – in this case guardo(I watch) – has an ending (in this case -o), which gives us information about who is performing the action. So, in the example above, we know that the subject is io(I), even though the pronoun is missing because the verb ends in -o.

    How to use a relative clause to describe the subject?

    When the subject of a sentence is modified by a relative clause (a subordinate clause that adds info about a noun or pronoun), the word order of the main clause changes so that the relative pronoun can be close to the noun it’s describing.

    We have two options to ensure that the relative clause is close to the subject:

    • Keep the subject at the beginning of the sentence

      When keeping the subject at the beginning of the sentence, we can insert the relative clause between the subject and the verb of the main clause. This is by far the most common option.

      subjectrelative clauseverb

      La casa che aveta comprato è molto bella.

      The house (that) you bought is really beautiful.

    • Move the subject + relative clause to the end

      Your second option is to place the subject and the relative clause at the end of the sentence. This means that the verb of the main clause is at the beginning.

      subjectrelative clauseverb

      È molto bella la casa che avete comprato.

      It’s very beautiful, the house that you bought.

      Important

      When the main clause and relative clause have the same subject, the word order can only be S + relative clause + V, so the relative clause cannot be placed at the end.

      Il ragazzo che guida la macchina è mio fratello.

      The guy who drives the car is my brother.

    What’s the word order for negative sentences in Italian?

    To transform an affirmative sentence into a negative sentence in Italian, just add the negative non(not) before the verb, without altering the basic SVO order.

    subjectnonverbobject

    Raffaella non guarda la televisione.

    Rafaella doesn’t watch TV.

    If the subject pronoun is omitted, non(not) would be the first element in the sentence, as in:

    nonverbobject

    Non guardiamo la televisione.

    (We) don’t watch TV.

    What is the word order with double negatives and compound tenses?

    Double negative constructions are sentences that use more than one negative word/phrase. In Italian, that generally means that the first negative, before the verb, is non(not), which will be then followed by other negatives after the verb.

    negativeverb

    Non ho detto niente a nessuno.

    I haven’t said anything to anyone.

    However, when we use two negatives with compound tenses, some negative words, such as mai(never) and più(anymore) have to be placed between the helping verb and the past participle of the compound tense.

    negativeverb

    Non hanno mai visto questa serie televisa.

    They have never seen this tv show.

    Some negatives like neanche(not even) and ancora(yet) are usually placed between the helping verb and past participle, but we can also place them after the whole compound tense.

    ⇨ For a refresher on negatives and double negatives in Italian, click here!

    Where to place direct and indirect objects in Italian sentences?

    In Italian, direct and indirect objects follow the verb, with the direct object coming before the indirect object. Here is the difference between the two types of objects:

    • Direct objects are nouns that directly undergo the action of the verb

    • Indirect objects are nouns that answer the questions “to whom” or “for whom?” In Italian, they are introduced by a preposition.

    subject

    verb

    direct object

    indirect object

    Alessandro porta il giornale a suo nonno.

    Alessandro brings the newspaper to his grandpa.

    English often places the indirect object before the direct object (e.g. “Alessandro brings his grandpa the newspaper”), but Italian always uses the word order above.

    How to use direct and indirect object pronouns?

    When you replace direct or indirect objects with their corresponding pronouns, notice that:

    • they go before the verb

    • they go after the subject and/or negative non(not)

    For example:

    subjectindirect object pronounverb

    Caterina la invierà.

    Catherina will send it.

    subjectindirect object pronounverb

    Enzo non vi parlerà.

    Enzo will not speak to you.

    Important

    Remember that verbs like piacere(to like) always have an indirect object pronoun and the typical word order is:

    indirect object (pronoun)

    verb

    subject

    A me piace la mozzarella.

    I like mozzarella.

    Mi piace la mozzarella.

    I like mozzarella.

    ⇨ Check out these two posts about direct object pronouns and indirect object pronouns for a refresher on how to use them!

    What are double pronouns?

    If you have both a direct object and an indirect object pronoun, they will combine to form something called a double pronoun. In a double pronoun, the indirect object pronoun in Italian always comes before the direct object pronoun, but often the two will combine or change pronunciations when used together.

    indirect object pronoundirect object pronoun

    Caterina ve la invierà.

    Caterina will send it to you.

    indirect object pronoundirect object pronoun

    Ve la invierà.

    (He/she) will send it to you.

    When you’re using double pronouns, you can emphasize the by moving it to the end of the sentence, you can say:

    subject

    Ve la invierà Caterina.

    Caterina will send it to you.

    ⇨ Click the link for a post on using Italian direct and indirect object pronouns at the same time!
    Exception!

    In the case that you have two verbs, a conjugated one followed by an infinitive or gerund, the pronouns can either go before the first verb or they can be attached to the second verb. This rule applies both to single pronouns and double pronouns.

    • Non lo posso comprare. / Non posso comprarlo.

      I cannot buy it.

    • Glielo voglio dire. / Voglio dirglielo.

      I want to tell him (it).

    In the imperative, both single and double pronouns go attached to the verb:

    • Non comprarlo!

      Don’t buy it!

    • Diglielo!

      Tell him (that)!

    How does word order change in colloquial Italian?

    One of the most common ways that word order changes in colloquial Italian is called left-dislocation. When left-dislocation takes place, some word or phrase that is usually placed on the right of the verb is moved to the left side of the verb instead.

    Left-dislocation is typical of colloquial Italian and speakers use it to talk with someone about something previously mentioned and known to all the speakers involved.

    Objects are quite commonly left-dislocated. When this happens, it transforms the word order from SVO to OVS. For an example of this structure — which places the object first — check out the following exchange:

    • Quando compri il pane?

      When do you buy bread?

    • Normal order:

      Compro il pane domani.

      I’ll buy the bread tomorrow.

      Left-Dislocated Order:

      Il pane lo compro domani.

      I'll buy the bread tomorrow.

    Note that this construction repeats the object twice:

    • as a noun: il pane(the bread)

    • as a pronoun: lo(it)

    So the formula is:

    direct object

    direct object pronoun

    verb

    Il pane lo compro domani.

    I’ll buy the bread tomorrow.

    Important

    When using the OVS construction, remember that the object pronoun has to agree in gender and number with the object noun.

    In addition, if you are using a compound tense like the passato prossimo(perfect tense) , the past participle of the verb also has to agree with the object noun, even if the helping verb is avere(to have).

    I contanti li ho prelevati ieri mattina.

    I took the cash out yesterday morning.

    Where to put reflexive pronouns in an Italian sentence?

    Reflexive pronouns in Italian are placed before the verb, but if you have both a reflexive and a direct object pronoun, the reflexive pronoun goes before the direct object pronoun, and both are placed before the verb. For example, if we wanted to say “Nina washes her hands,” and replace “her hands” with a direct object pronoun, we would end up with this:

    reflexive pronoundirect object pronounverb

    Nina se le lava .

    Nina washes them.

    Where to put other types of pronouns in Italian sentences?

    The following types of pronouns can be placed in different parts of the sentence depending on their job: at the beginning of the sentence if it’s a subject, and after the verb if it’s an object.

    • Possessive pronouns:

      Subject:

      La mia bici è blu, la tua è rossa.

      My bike is blue, yours is red.

      Object:

      Gli ho chiesto di prestarmi la sua bici, perché non ho più la mia.

      I asked him to lend me his bike, because I no longer have mine.

    • Demonstrative pronouns:

      Subject:

      Questo non funziona, però quello sì.

      This one does not work, but that one does.

      Object:

      Prendi questo!

      Take this!

    • Indefinite pronouns: (qualcosa(something), nessuno(nobody), tutti(everyone), etc.)

      Subject:

      Qualcuno può dirmi che ore sono, per favore?

      Can anyone tell me what time it is, please?

      Object:

      Marco non conosce nessuno a questa festa.

      Marco doesn't know anyone at this party.

    Where to put prepositional phrases in Italian sentences?

    If your sentence has a prepositional phrase it will normally go at the end, after the object(s):

    Ho comprato una stampante nuova al negozio all’angolo.

    I bought a new printer at the corner store.

    For emphasis, we can have prepositional phrases in key position (at the beginning):

    Alle 8 di sera sono impegnata.

    At 8 p.m., I am busy.

    How to create prepositional phrases with pronouns?

    When a preposition is combined with a pronoun, the pronoun will always appear after the preposition. However, once together, both words can move around in the sentence depending on what the speaker wants to emphasize or call attention to.

    • Sono molto contento per te, per il tuo nuovo lavoro.

      I am very happy for you, for your new job.

    • ✨ ✨
      Per me possiamo andare in viaggio dove ci va.

      As far as I’m concerned we can travel wherever we feel like.

      lit. For me...

    • ✨ ✨
      Con te partirò!

      I will depart with you.

      lit. With you I shall depart!

    Where to put words that modify nouns in Italian sentences?

    In Italian, the following words always go in front of nouns:

    • Articles:

      Il gatto di mia zia è molto carino.

      My aunt's cat is very cute.

    • Number determiners:

      In Italia ci sono venti regioni.

      In Italy there are twenty regions.

    • Possessive and demonstrative adjectives:

      La mia macchina è più vecchia di queste rovine etrusche.

      My car is older than these Etruscan ruins.

    However, a number of noun modifiers in Italian will follow the noun instead. Most importantly, unlike in English, descriptive adjectives in Italian will usually go after the noun.

    nounadjective

    Frederica è una ragazza simpatica.

    Frederica is a nice girl.

    In general, remember to be mindful of adjectives in Italian, because you may have to invert the English word order!

    Exception!

    In literature or poetry, you can find descriptive adjectives placed before the noun.

    adjectivenoun

    Azzuro, il pomeriggio è troppo azzurro e lungo per me.

    Blue, the afternoon is too blue and too long for me.

    How does word order affect the meaning of Italian adjectives?

    There are some adjectives that in Italian can come either before or after the noun. Those special adjectives, depending on their position in the sentence, slightly change their meaning. Here is an example with the adjective bravo(good / good at):

    • nounadjectiveprepositional phrase

      Frederica è una ragazza brava in matematica.

      Frederica is a girl (who is) good at math.

    • adjectivenoun

      Frederica è una brava ragazza.

      Frederica is a good girl.

    ⇨ Here you can find a list of adjectives that change meaning and check out our article to learn more about Italian adjectives and their placement!

    Where to put adverbs in Italian sentences?

    Adverbs and adverbial phrases can modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In general, Italian adverbs are placed close to the term they modify.

    In particular we find them…

    • after the verb:

      • verbadverb

        Roberta cammina velocemente.

        Roberta walks quickly.

      • verbadverb

        Questo autobus arriverà prima o poi.

        This bus will arrive sooner or later.

    • before the adjective:

      verbadjective

      Marcello Mastroianni è un attore molto famoso.

      Marcello Mastroianni is a very famous actor.

    • before another adverb:

      adverb

      Mio zio cucina davvero molto bene.

      My uncle cooks very well indeed.

    However, like in English, some Italian adverbs (e.g., adverbs of time) can be placed either before or after the verb, and sometimes even at the end of the sentence to create emphasis or contrast.

    • adverbverb

      Oggi vado a Milano.

      Today I am going to Milan.

    • verbpurple

      Vado oggi a Milano.

      I am going to Milan today.

    • verbpurple

      Vado a Milano oggi.

      I am going to Milan today.

    Important

    Usually adverbs go after the verb. However, when we have a compound tense, like passato prossimo(perfect tense), adverbs can be placed between the helping verb and the past participle.

    verbadverb

    Vi ho sempre ammirato.

    I have always admired you.

    To sum up

    • In Italian sentences, subject pronouns are often implicit.

    • Sentences with relative clauses place the subject after the verb both in the main clause and in the relative clause.

    • The negative non(not) always goes before the verb.

    • Direct objects go before indirect objects.

    • Indirect object pronouns and reflexive pronouns go before direct object pronouns and they are placed before the verb.

    • The following can move around depending on their function: indefinite pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, and possessive pronouns.

    • Prepositional phrases go at the end of the sentence, after all the objects.

    • Articles, numbers, possessive and demonstrative adjectives go before nouns.

    • Descriptive adjectives go, traditionally, after nouns.

    • Adverbs usually are next to the word they modify.

    Ready for some activities on how to build Italian sentences? Click the link!

    If you want to learn about word order in questions, click the link to access How to form questions in Italian!

    Downloadable Resources

    Elevate your language-learning journey to new heights with the following downloadable resources.

    What is the word order in Italian~Parts of speech TableHow do Italian adjectives work~Adjectives placement TableWhat is the word order in Italian~Activities

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