ASL Grammar
Your face is part of ASL grammar.
Learn how eyebrows, eyes, head position, and body lean help ASL sentences become statements, yes/no questions, WH questions, and deeper grammar patterns.
Learn by doing first.Each lesson starts with simple practice. The more nuanced grammar notes stay lower on the page.
Build in order.The concepts move from easy question faces to harder head-position details.
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Action-ready ASL grammar lessons
Begin with the grammar choices you can use right away in simple conversations.
01BasicFacial Grammar BasicsYour face is part of ASL grammar. It helps show if you are making a statement, asking a question, giving a command, or setting up an idea.Start lesson
BasicStatement vs Question FaceThe same signs can mean different things when the face changes. This is one of the fastest ASL grammar wins for beginners.Start lesson
BasicYes/No QuestionsFor questions that can be answered yes or no, raise your eyebrows, open your eyes a bit, and lean your head forward slightly.Start lesson
BasicWH QuestionsFor questions like who, what, where, when, why, which, and how, lower or furrow your eyebrows.Start lesson
BasicYes/No vs WH QuestionsRaised eyebrows usually ask for yes or no. Furrowed eyebrows usually ask for specific information.Start lesson
PracticeHolding Facial MarkersFacial grammar usually lasts over the part of the sentence it controls. Do not flash it for only one tiny moment.Start lesson
BasicFacial Grammar BasicsYour face is part of ASL grammar. It helps show if you are making a statement, asking a question, giving a command, or setting up an idea.Start lesson
02BasicStatement vs Question FaceThe same signs can mean different things when the face changes. This is one of the fastest ASL grammar wins for beginners.Start lesson
03BasicYes/No QuestionsFor questions that can be answered yes or no, raise your eyebrows, open your eyes a bit, and lean your head forward slightly.Start lesson
04BasicWH QuestionsFor questions like who, what, where, when, why, which, and how, lower or furrow your eyebrows.Start lesson
05BasicYes/No vs WH QuestionsRaised eyebrows usually ask for yes or no. Furrowed eyebrows usually ask for specific information.Start lesson
06PracticeHolding Facial MarkersFacial grammar usually lasts over the part of the sentence it controls. Do not flash it for only one tiny moment.Start lesson
Deeper Grammar
Nuance to learn after the basics
These ideas come from the deeper parts of the source document. Save them for after yes/no and WH questions feel comfortable.
07
IntermediateBrow Raise for Topics, If, and DescribingRaised eyebrows are not only for yes/no questions. They can also set up a topic, an if idea, or a noun you are describing.Start lesson
IntermediateBrow Furrow for WH FocusFurrowed brows show that you need information. The furrow may spread over the question or become strongest on the WH sign.Start lesson
Deep DiveHead Down for Specific AnswersA head-down WH question often asks for a specific answer, like one exact book, person, place, or time.Start lesson
Deep DiveHead Up for Open-Ended QuestionsA head-up WH question can feel more open-ended, like you are asking for any possible answer instead of one exact thing.Start lesson
IntermediateBrow Raise for Topics, If, and DescribingRaised eyebrows are not only for yes/no questions. They can also set up a topic, an if idea, or a noun you are describing.Start lesson
08IntermediateBrow Furrow for WH FocusFurrowed brows show that you need information. The furrow may spread over the question or become strongest on the WH sign.Start lesson
09Deep DiveHead Down for Specific AnswersA head-down WH question often asks for a specific answer, like one exact book, person, place, or time.Start lesson
10Deep DiveHead Up for Open-Ended QuestionsA head-up WH question can feel more open-ended, like you are asking for any possible answer instead of one exact thing.Start lesson
Ready for the first lesson?
Start with facial grammar, then move through the concepts in order.