Learn Italian: Si devono indossare scarpe pulite; è obbligatorio. - Clean shoes must be worn; it is mandatory.

Si devono indossare scarpe pulite; è obbligatorio.

Clean shoes must be worn; it is mandatory.

Breakdown of Si devono indossare scarpe pulite; è obbligatorio.

Questions & Answers about Si devono indossare scarpe pulite; è obbligatorio.

Why is the verb devono in the plural form when si is usually treated like a singular subject?

This is the si passivante (passive si). In this structure, the verb agrees with the noun receiving the action, which acts as the grammatical subject. Since scarpe pulite (clean shoes) is plural, the modal verb dovere must be the plural devono.

Where does the si go when using a modal verb like dovere?

Just like with reflexive pronouns, you have two choices. You can place the si before the conjugated modal verb (Si devono indossare), which is the most common and natural choice. Alternatively, you can drop the final -e of the infinitive and attach it there (Devono indossarsi), though this sounds a bit more formal.

If scarpe pulite is feminine plural, why does the sentence end with obbligatorio (masculine singular)?

The phrase è obbligatorio is an impersonal expression meaning "it is mandatory." The adjective describes the entire rule or action of wearing the shoes, not the shoes themselves. Impersonal adjectives are always masculine singular in Italian.

Could I use mettere instead of indossare here?