Learn Italian: Questo modulo è importante, devi compilarlo bene. - This form is important, you must fill it out well.

Questo modulo è importante, devi compilarlo bene.

This form is important, you must fill it out well.

Breakdown of Questo modulo è importante, devi compilarlo bene.

Questions & Answers about Questo modulo è importante, devi compilarlo bene.

Could I say lo devi compilare instead of devi compilarlo?

Yes! When you have a modal verb like devi (must) followed by an infinitive verb, you have two choices for the pronoun lo. You can attach it to the end of the infinitive to make compilarlo, or you can place it before the conjugated modal verb: lo devi compilare. Both are completely correct and mean the exact same thing.

What happened to the final -e in the verb compilare?

Whenever you attach a pronoun like lo to the end of an infinitive verb, you must drop the final -e of the verb. So, the infinitive compilare plus the pronoun lo merges into the single word compilarlo.

Why do we use lo here for "it"?

In Italian, the pronoun you use for "it" depends on the gender of the noun you are replacing. Here, "it" refers back to modulo (form), which is a masculine singular noun. That is why we use the masculine singular direct object pronoun lo. If it were a feminine noun, we would use la.

Why use modulo for "form"? Doesn't the word forma exist?

They are false friends! Modulo is the word you need when talking about a document, application, or paper you fill out. Forma refers to the physical shape of an object (like a circle or square) or being in good physical shape.