PocketSign
Practice

Noun, Verb, and Plural Movement

Some ASL noun and verb signs look almost the same. For those related pairs, the movement can tell you if the sign is an action, one object, or more than one object.

All Some noun vs Verb lessons
ASL signer showing a small repeated noun movement and a larger action movement

Learn It

Start with the simple version, then practice it with real signs.

Not all ASL nouns double tap. This lesson is only about certain noun/verb pairs that share a similar handshape and place.

For those related pairs, the movement is what changes the meaning.

The verb often uses one larger, smoother movement. The related base noun may use two smaller, tighter taps in one spot.

The plural version is different again. It may repeat while moving sideways or into several spots to show more than one object.

This is separate from the Pluralization module because it is really about movement contrast in these look-alike signs: action movement, base noun movement, and plural movement.

Try It

Practice slowly. Watch how the hand movement changes the meaning.

  1. Practice the related pair and : with one clear movement, then with two small taps in one spot.
  2. Practice in one spot, then show several chairs by repeating that noun movement while moving sideways.
  3. Practice as one action, then as one object, then several cars in separate spots. Do not assume every noun works like .

Simple Examples

Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill names the hand movement or lack of extra movement.

ASL line . one action movement
MeaningI sit down.
TipSIT is the action in this related pair, so the movement is usually one larger motion.
Hand movementone action movementUse one larger smooth movement. In this pair, that movement shows the verb action, not the object.
ASL line . two small taps
MeaningThe chair is there.
TipCHAIR is the noun in this related pair, so this sign uses a smaller repeated movement.
Hand movementtwo small tapsUse two small taps in one spot for this noun. This does not mean every ASL noun double taps.
ASL line . sideways repeat
MeaningSeveral chairs.
TipFor this noun pattern, the plural idea needs movement through space, not just the base two-tap sign.
Hand movementsideways repeatRepeat the chair movement while moving sideways or into several spots to show more than one chair.
ASL line . no extra repeat
MeaningThree cars.
TipCAR is not being taught here as a two-tap noun. The number gives the amount, so you do not need random extra repeats.
Hand movementno extra repeatKeep the noun clear. THREE already tells the viewer how many cars.

Common Mistake

Do not think every noun double taps, and do not think every repeated movement means plural. Some related noun/verb pairs, like SIT and CHAIR, use movement to separate the action from the object.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

Think of movement as part of the grammar for specific look-alike signs. In a pair like SIT and CHAIR, one smooth movement can show the action, two small taps can show the related base noun, and repeating through space can show plural objects.