L'asciugamano è obbligatorio, non si può dimenticare.
The towel is mandatory, it cannot be forgotten.
Breakdown of L'asciugamano è obbligatorio, non si può dimenticare.
essere
to be
non
not
dimenticare
to forget
potere
can, to be able to
l'asciugamano
the towel
si
one (impersonal)
obbligatorio
mandatory
Questions & Answers about L'asciugamano è obbligatorio, non si può dimenticare.
Why is the modal verb in the singular form può and not the plural possono?
With the si passivante, the modal verb agrees with the noun receiving the action. Here, that noun is l'asciugamano, which is singular. If the first half of the sentence mentioned multiple towels, you would need the plural: non si possono dimenticare.
Could I attach the si to the infinitive, like non può dimenticarsi?
For the si passivante, it is required to place the si before the conjugated modal verb. If you attach it to the infinitive, it functions as a reflexive verb, which would mean the towel is forgetting itself!
Do I need to add a pronoun like lo to say one cannot forget it?
No, you do not need a direct object pronoun. In the si passivante construction, the item being acted upon (l'asciugamano) acts as the grammatical subject of the clause, so it is already accounted for without needing lo.
Is this clause considered si impersonale or si passivante?
It is the si passivante. Because there is a specific thing being acted upon (the towel), it dictates the agreement of the verb potere, and it translates perfectly to the passive voice in English: it cannot be forgotten.
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