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Ogni attrezzo si deve rimettere al suo posto.

Ogni attrezzo si deve rimettere al suo posto.
Every piece of equipment must be put back in its place.
From Lesson 276:Passive 'si' with modal verbs (si deve fare)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Ogni attrezzo si deve rimettere al suo posto.

How does the si passivante work with the modal verb deve in this sentence?
In this sentence, si deve rimettere translates to "must be put back". The passive "si" (si) is placed before the conjugated modal verb (deve), which is then followed by the main verb in its dictionary form, the infinitive (rimettere).
Can I attach the si to the end of the infinitive instead of putting it before deve?
Yes! With modal verbs like dovere (must), potere (can), and volere (want), you have two choices for where to put the pronoun. You can say si deve rimettere (before the conjugated verb) or deve rimettersi (attached to the dropped -e of the infinitive). Both mean exactly the same thing.
Why is the verb conjugated as singular (deve) when we are talking about putting away all the tools?
In a si passivante construction, the object being acted upon actually becomes the grammatical subject of the sentence. Because Ogni attrezzo (Every tool) is grammatically singular, the modal verb must be the singular deve. If the sentence were about plural tools, it would be Gli attrezzi si devono rimettere.
Could I use Tutti instead of Ogni to say "every piece of equipment"?
You could use Tutti, but it would change the grammar of the sentence. Ogni (every/each) is always followed by a singular noun (Ogni attrezzo) and takes a singular verb. If you use Tutti (all), it requires a plural noun with an article (Tutti gli attrezzi), meaning your verb would have to change to plural (si devono rimettere).
Why does the sentence use al suo posto instead of nel suo posto for "in its place"?
In Italian, the fixed expression for putting something "in its place" or "back where it belongs" uses the preposition a (combined here with il to make al) rather than in. You will almost always hear al suo posto or al proprio posto.

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