Breakdown of Non sei mai puntuale, anche se prometti di esserlo.
essere
to be
non
not
mai
ever / never
lo
him/it (direct object)
anche se
even though
di
to (linking a verb to a following infinitive)
promettere
to promise
puntuale
punctual
Questions & Answers about Non sei mai puntuale, anche se prometti di esserlo.
Why is there a lo at the end of esserlo?
In Italian, the pronoun lo isn't just used for 'him' or 'it' as a direct object. It can also replace a previously mentioned adjective to avoid repeating it. Here, lo takes the place of puntuale. Literally, it means 'even though you promise to be it'. Notice how the final -e of essere is dropped to attach the pronoun, making it esserlo.
Why do we need di before esserlo?
The verb promettere (to promise) requires the preposition di when it's followed by an infinitive verb (like essere). So, 'to promise to do something' is always promettere di fare qualcosa.
Why does anche se use the normal present tense (prometti) instead of the subjunctive?
Anche se (even though / even if) takes the indicative (normal) mood when stating a fact or something certain. Since the person actually does promise to be punctual, it is a fact, so we use the regular present tense. You only use the subjunctive with anche se when talking about a hypothetical or unlikely situation.
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