1. A statement or question of a speaker or writer may be quoted
directly, i. e., without change in the form of the language.
E. g.:
Direct: τοῦτο πράξω
Indirect: λέγει {
or { ὅτι τοῦτο πράξει.
ἔλεγε {
Bt. 668; Gl. 623; Gn. 1475.
2. Or it may be a change to adapt it to the form of the sentence of
which it becomes a part. The form of change will depend on the introductory
verb of saying, φημί, λέγω, or εἶπον.
(1) If φημί, the main verb of the quotation will be changed to the infinitive
mode of the same tense and voice. E. g.,
Direct: τοῦτο πράττω
Indirect: φησί {
or { τούτο πράττειν.
ἔφη {
(2) If λέγω with ὅτι or ὡς, no change will occur when dependent on a
primary tense. When dependent on a secondary tense, indicatives and
subjunctives may (not must) be changed to corresponding tenses (and
voice) of the optative; optatives will remain unchanged.
E. g.:
Direct: τοῦτο πράξω
Indirect: { λέγει ὅτι τοῦτο πράξει
{ ἔλεγε ὅτι τοῦτο πράξει (or πράξοι).
(1) Note the change in person to indicate the change of speaker.
(2) εἶπον as a verb of saying requires, and λέγω in the active voice
prefers the ὅτι (ὡς) construction.
(3) Where changes of mode might occasion doubt as to the form of the
original direct discourse, no changes are made. E. g., the imperfect
or pluperfect indicative with ἄν, the potential optative with ἄν, or
the aorist indicative in a subordinate clause (cf. Bt. 675). Bt. 678;
Gl. 624; Gn. 1523; 1481, 1497.