ammetterlo

Ammetterlo is the Italian non-finite form formed from the verb ammettere (to admit) plus the clitic pronoun lo (it). It functions as an infinitive with a direct object pronoun and is used to express the act of admitting a statement, fact, or fault.

Formation and usage: The base form is ammettere, and the attached pronoun yields ammetterlo for “to admit it.” Other gender forms exist when referring to feminine objects, such as ammetterla. In sentences with auxiliary or modal verbs, ammetterlo often appears after the auxiliary or modal verb (Devo ammetterlo; Posso ammetterlo). In compound tenses with avere, the past participle agrees with the direct object when it precedes the verb (L’ho ammesso – I have admitted it).

Examples: Devo ammetterlo. It means “I must admit it.” Ammetterlo non è facile. “It’s not easy to admit it.” Ammetterlo è il primo passo per fare ammenda. “Admitting it is the first step toward making amends.” As a subject, ammetterlo can occur in clauses like Ammetterlo è difficile, meaning “Admitting it is difficult.”

Remarks: Ammetterlo is a common, neutral construction in both spoken and written Italian. It is typically used for acknowledging a fact, fault, or truth, with nuance ranging from simple acknowledgment to confession, depending on context and tone. Related verbs include ammettere and confessare, but ammetterlo emphasizes the act of admitting a specific thing.