32.8 Like English, Greek most often expresses indirect statement through either a subordinate clause or an infinitive phrase. For example, λέγω and ἀποκρίνομαι often take a subordinate clause construction. Other verbs of saying, such as φημί, and most verbs of thinking, such as νομίζω, often take the infinitive phrase. Some verbs, such as ἀκούω, take either construction.
If the subordinate clause construction is used, it is introduced by either ὅτι or ὡς, two words that we already encountered as conjunctions meaning because and as, respectively. When used to introduce an indirect statement, however, both are translated as that (S 2577, G 577-578). For example:
- δίδοτε τὸ ὕδωρ
- You all are giving the water. (direct statement)
- λέγει ὅτι δίδοτε τὸ ὕδωρ
- He is saying that you are giving the water. (indirect statement)
- γιγνώσκει ὡς δίδοτε τὸ ὕδωρ
- He knows that you are giving the water. (indirect statement)