Breakdown of Se il dolore continua, non prendere un'altra pillola.
una
a / an (feminine)
non
not
prendere
to take
se
if
Questions & Answers about Se il dolore continua, non prendere un'altra pillola.
Why is the infinitive prendere used here instead of a conjugated command?
This sentence uses the Jussive Infinitive, which is the standard way to give general written instructions in Italian (like on a medicine leaflet or in a manual). By using the infinitive, the instruction applies to anyone reading it, rather than a specific person. Note that non prendere is also the exact form used for the negative informal tu command, so it perfectly doubles as a direct instruction to a friend!
If this is on a medicine leaflet, why not use the formal Lei command (non prenda)?
While a doctor speaking directly to a patient would use the formal imperative non prenda, impersonal written formats in Italian almost always avoid conjugating verbs. The infinitive provides a neutral, universal tone for general public warnings and instructions.
Is it grammatically correct to pair a present tense verb like continua with an infinitive instruction?
Absolutely. In a first conditional sentence (for real, likely situations), the se clause uses the present indicative. The result clause can use the future tense, a standard imperative, or—as seen in this medical warning—a jussive infinitive.
Why does un'altra have an apostrophe here?