Up to this point we have substituted a pronoun for either the direct or indirect object. As it is in English, it is possible to substitute for both pronouns in Italian. Let's revisit the sentence “I give the book to John.” If we substitute both a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun for the objects in this sentence, we end up with the statement “I gave it to him.” When both pronouns are used in a sentence in Italian, the indirect object pronoun will always precede the direct object pronoun, except when the indirect object pronoun loro/Loro is used. The following is a table of the indirect/direct double object pronoun combinations. Lo, la, li, and le are direct object pronouns. Mi, ti, gli/le, ci, vi, and loro are indirect object pronouns.

Table 10-8

It is possible to use a direct object with a reflexive verb as well. Let's look at the sentence Mi metto una cravatta. This sentence is reflexive, since I am putting something on myself, and it also has a direct object — una cravatta (necktie). It is possible to use both a reflexive pronoun and a direct object pronoun in the same sentence. If we were to substitute a direct object pronoun for this sentence, we would have Me la metto (I put it on.) The following table shows the reflexive/direct double object pronoun combinations.

Table 10-9

When using the verbs dovere, potere, volere, and sapere in a double verb construction with a double object pronoun, you have the choice of either putting the double object pronouns before the conjugated verb or attaching them to the end of the infinitive verb. The pronouns combine to form one word when they are attached to the end of the infinitive verb.