impedirlo

Impedirlo is the Italian infinitive impedire with the clitic pronoun lo attached, meaning “to prevent him” or “to prevent it” depending on the referent. It is used whenever the direct object is masculine singular. The form impedirelo is common in writing and speech, and it follows the general rule that pronouns may attach to an infinitive.

In Italian, clitic pronouns attach to non-finite forms. The base verb impedire (to prevent) becomes impedirl o when the direct object lo is appended to the infinitive, giving impedirlo. In finite tenses, the pronoun is typically placed before the conjugated verb, for example: lo impediremo (we will prevent him/it). In compound tenses with avere, the past participle agrees with the object pronoun: l’ho impedito (I have prevented him).

When more than one pronoun is involved, they fuse into a single cluster: impedirglielo (to prevent it for him/her), as in Non glielo impediremo (We will not prevent it for him).

Examples:

- Voglio impedirlo. (I want to prevent it/him.)

- Non dobbiamo impedirlo. (We must not prevent it/him.)

- Lo impediremo. (We will prevent him/it.)

- Non glielo impediremo. (We will not prevent it for him.)

Etymology and usage notes:

Impedirlo derives from impedire, with the pronoun lo appended. The construction is standard in Italian grammar and commonly used in both spoken and written language. Beyond impedirelo, the same pattern applies to other combinations with pronouns, including dual pronouns such as impedirglielo (to prevent it for him). See also impedire, clitic pronouns, and indirect object pronouns for broader context.