Lasci fare tutto al ragazzino; non vuoi rimproverarlo e lo vizi!

Questions & Answers about Lasci fare tutto al ragazzino; non vuoi rimproverarlo e lo vizi!

Why is it al ragazzino instead of il ragazzino? I thought "let the boy" would use a direct object.
This happens because of the causative construction, which uses lasciare or fare followed by an infinitive. When the infinitive verb (fare) has its own direct object (here, tutto), the person performing the action is treated as an indirect object. So, Italian essentially says "you let do everything to the boy" (al ragazzino).
Can I put the pronoun lo before the verb instead of attaching it to the end of rimproverarlo?
Yes, you can! With modal verbs like volere, potere, and dovere, you have two choices for object pronouns. You can attach the pronoun to the dropped "-e" of the infinitive (non vuoi rimproverarlo) or place it before the conjugated verb (non lo vuoi rimproverare). Both are perfectly natural.
Since this lesson is about connectors like d'altronde or del resto (after all / besides), how would I fit one into this sentence?
This sentence is a great candidate for those connectors! You could use one right after the semicolon to justify the observation you just made. For example: ...al ragazzino; d'altronde non vuoi rimproverarlo... (after all, you don't want to scold him). It perfectly introduces the underlying reason why the speaker thinks the boy is being spoiled.
Does the verb viziare (to spoil) have anything to do with the English word "vice"?
Exactly! The verb viziare comes from the noun il vizio (a vice or bad habit). When you spoil a child in Italian, the language literally implies that you are "giving them vices" or letting them develop bad habits.

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