ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

The subject pronouns in Italian are:

Subject pronouns are often omitted in Italian because the subject can be inferred by the form of the verb.

See below for some rules on usage:

1. For emphasis: typically the subject is put at the end of the sentence for added emphasis.
   
   Compro i biglietti io.
   I’ll buy the books.

   Finiamo il lavoro noi.
   We’ll finish the job.
   

2. For contrast: to highlight two different subjects

   Io mangio i spaghetti mentre tu prepari i ravioli.
   I eat the spaghetti while you prepare the ravioli.
   

3. For avoiding ambiguity: this is necessary in the subjunctive when the io, tu, and lui/lei/Lei forms are all the same.

   Voglio che tu vada a casa.
   I want you to go home.

   Sono contenti che io venga domani.
   They are happy that I am coming tomorrow.
   
   With the subjunctive, if no subject pronoun is used or it is not apparent from the context, the third person singular is presumed.
   
   

4. After almeno, anche, magari, neanche, nemmeno or neppure

5. The ‘voi’ form substitutes for the plural formal form of ‘Loro’ unless strict formality is necessary.

6. When the subject pronouns stand alone, they translate as such:

   Chi vuole un gelato?
   Who wants an ice cream?

   Io!
   I do.

   Chi prepara la cena stasera?
   Who is preparing dinner tonight?

   Noi!
   We are.