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On several Vikipedio pages about physical laws or mathematical theorems, I have found expressions like [leĝo/teoremo X] statas, ke… (here, here and here). To me, it looks like a crude Anglicism translating "theorem X states that". According to PIV, stati means "esti en ia difinita stato", which makes no sense when expressing the content of a theorem. But the large number of occurrences of that makes me doubt.

Is it indeed a misuse? If yes, what would be the correct verb? I would go for asertas, ke, which seems actually quite common.

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  • I would question the placement of that comma - in any language
    – Mawg
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 7:39
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    @Mawg If you are referring to asertas, ke — that comma is mandatory in Bulgarian, and I believe not only Bulgarian. Esperanto also requires it, as ke begins a subclause: PMEG
    – Lyubomir Vasilev
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 10:08
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    That comma is also mandatory in German. But not in French (and other Romance languages, I think). Zamenhof probably draw inspiration from German / Slavonic languages on that question.
    – Sambuko
    Commented Oct 20, 2016 at 11:48

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Yes, statas ke is definitely wrong. I agree with asertas, ke. Vikipedio should never be used as a reference of good Esperanto ;-)

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I agree that statas ke is wrong. Asertas ke is good.

Possible alternatives:

  • diras
  • indikas
  • klarigas
  • tekstas

Benson (CEED) has aserti and diri.

If you don't believe that theorems can speak, you can try something like en la teoremo X oni diras ke...

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  • I once heard a theorem speak in a dream. ;-)
    – Charlotte SL
    Commented Oct 19, 2016 at 21:10

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