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Se starnutisci ancora, prendi lo sciroppo prima di dormire.

Se starnutisci ancora, prendi lo sciroppo prima di dormire.
If you sneeze again, take the syrup before sleeping.
FromLesson 60inHardcore Italian

Breakdown of Se starnutisci ancora, prendi lo sciroppo prima di dormire.

tu
you
dormire
to sleep
prendere
to take
se
if
prima di
before
ancora
again
lo sciroppo
the syrup
starnutire
to sneeze

Questions & Answers about Se starnutisci ancora, prendi lo sciroppo prima di dormire.

Why is the present tense used in Se starnutisci instead of a future form like se starnutirai?

In Italian, after se (if) you normally use the present indicative to talk about a real or likely future condition. So you say Se starnutisci… not Se starnutirai…. The result clause can be in the imperative, present, or future:

  • Se starnutisci ancora, prendi lo sciroppo. (imperative result)
  • Se starnutisci ancora, prenderai lo sciroppo. (future result)
  • Avoid future in the if-clause: not Se starnutirai…
Is starnutisci an imperative here?
No. After se, Italian does not use the imperative. Starnutisci is present indicative (you sneeze). The imperative is in the second part: prendi (take).
Why does starnutisci have the -isc- infix?

Because starnutire is an -ire verb of the “-isc-” type. Present tense:

  • io starnutisco
  • tu starnutisci
  • lui/lei starnutisce
  • noi starnutiamo
  • voi starnutite
  • loro starnutiscono
Can I add the subject pronoun: Se tu starnutisci…?
You can, but it’s usually unnecessary. Italian drops subject pronouns unless you want emphasis or contrast. Se tu starnutisci… stresses “you (as opposed to someone else).”
Why is it lo sciroppo and not il sciroppo?

Italian uses lo before masculine nouns starting with:

  • s + consonant (e.g., lo sciroppo, lo schermo)
  • z (e.g., lo zaino)
  • gn, ps, pn, x, y So lo sciroppo is correct; il sciroppo is wrong.
Could I say uno sciroppo or omit the article entirely?
Is lo in lo sciroppo an article or a pronoun?
Here it’s the definite article “the.” As a direct object pronoun “it,” it would attach to the imperative: Prendilo (take it).
Where do object pronouns go with imperatives like prendi?
Does ancora mean “again” or “still” here?

It can mean either, depending on context:

  • “again”: If you sneeze one more time.
  • “still”: If you’re continuing to sneeze. To be explicit:
  • “again”: Se starnutisci di nuovo…
  • “still”: Se stai ancora starnutendo… or Se continui a starnutire…
Can I move ancora earlier: Se ancora starnutisci…?
It’s possible but less natural in everyday speech. The usual position is after the verb (starnutisci ancora) or between the auxiliary and the gerund (stai ancora starnutendo).
Why is it prendi and not prenderai?
Prendi is an imperative (a direct instruction). Prenderai is future (a prediction or plan). Both can be fine, but the original sentence is giving a direct instruction.
How do I make this formal (addressing Lei)?

Use third-person forms:

Is the comma after the if-clause necessary?
When the se clause comes first, a comma is standard: Se …, …. If it comes second, no comma is needed: Prendi lo sciroppo se starnutisci ancora.
Why prima di dormire and not prima a/per dormire?
The fixed pattern is prima di + infinitive when the subject is the same. So prima di dormire (you take it before you sleep). Not prima a/per here.
When do I use prima che with the subjunctive instead?

Use prima che + subjunctive when the subject changes:

Could I say prima di andare a dormire or prima di andare a letto?

Yes. All are natural:

  • prima di dormire (before sleeping)
  • prima di andare a dormire (before going to sleep)
  • prima di andare a letto (before going to bed) They differ slightly in nuance, not in correctness.
Is bevi lo sciroppo also acceptable?
Yes. Prendere is the default verb for “take (medicine),” but with syrup Italians also say bere: Bevi lo sciroppo (“drink the syrup”).
What’s the noun for “a sneeze,” and is there any risk of confusion with the verb?

The noun is uno starnuto (plural starnuti). The verb form here is starnutisci (“you sneeze”). So:

  • Noun: Ho fatto due starnuti.
  • Verb: Se starnutisci ancora…
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