Question 1

Why do we use se in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

We use se (if/whether) to report a Yes/No question in indirect speech. The original direct question was "Is your profile real?" (Il tuo profilo è vero?). To report this indirectly, we connect the introductory verb (domando) to the question using se.

Question 2

Why is the pronoun Gli used instead of Lo?

Accepted Answer

The verb domandare (to ask) requires an indirect object because you are asking a question to someone (domandare a qualcuno). Gli is the indirect object pronoun for "to him". If you used lo, you would be using a direct object pronoun, which doesn't work with this verb.

Question 3

Could I use Gli chiedo instead of Gli domando?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! Chiedere and domandare both mean "to ask" and are interchangeable in this context. Gli chiedo se il suo profilo è vero means the exact same thing.

Question 4

Why does suo profilo have the article il in front of it?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, possessive adjectives almost always require a definite article before them (il suo, la mia, etc.). The main exception is with singular close family members (like suo fratello). Since profilo (profile) is not a family member, the article il is mandatory.

Question 5

Since this is an indirect question, shouldn't the verb è be in the subjunctive mood?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily! When reporting an indirect question introduced by a present tense verb like domando, the standard indicative mood (è) is perfectly correct and is the most common choice in spoken Italian. You can use the subjunctive (sia) to sound more formal or elegant, but it isn't required.

Gli domando se il suo profilo è vero.

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