PocketSign
Basic

HE/SHE/THEY vs HIS/HERS/THEIRS

For he, she, and they, ASL uses space. Point to the person or place for the pronoun, and use the flat hand there for possession.

All Possession lessons
ASL signer aiming a flat B hand toward a third-person space

Watch First

Use these short PocketSign clips to see the movement before you practice.

He or she vs his or hersWatch how the handshape changes when the same person becomes the owner.
They vs theirsWatch how a group point changes into a possessive flat-hand movement.

Learn It

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

HE and SHE are usually shown by pointing to the person or to a spot you set up for that person.

HIS and HERS use the flat B hand toward that same person or spot.

THEY points or sweeps toward a group. THEIRS uses the possessive flat hand toward that group.

Keep the spot steady. If one person is on your right, keep pointing or aiming the possessive hand to that same right-side spot.

For beginners, use one clear location at a time. Point there for the person, flat hand there for what belongs to them.

Your eyes can help. Look toward the person or space as you point or use the flat hand.

Same placeUse the same person or space for HE/SHE and HIS/HERS.
Group spaceUse a point or sweep for THEY, and a flat-hand possessive movement for THEIRS.
Stay consistentDo not move a person from one side to another in the same sentence.

Try It

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

  1. Point to a spot on your right for . Then aim a flat hand there for .
  2. Point to a spot on your left for . Then aim a flat hand there for .
  3. Point across two spots for . Then use the flat hand toward that group for .
  4. Sign . Then sign .
  5. Sign . Then sign .
  6. Sign . Then sign .

Simple Examples

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

ASL line. point
MeaningHe.
TipPoint to the person or the space for that person.
Hand movementpointUse the index finger toward the person or spot.
he
ASL line . flat B hand
MeaningHis fish.
TipUse the flat hand toward the same person, then sign FISH.
Hand movementflat B handAim the flat hand toward his space.
hisfish
ASL line. point
MeaningShe.
TipPoint to the person or the space for that person.
Hand movementpointUse the index finger toward the person or spot.
she
ASL line. flat B hand
MeaningHers.
TipUse a flat hand toward her space.
Hand movementflat B handAim the flat hand toward the same location.
ASL line. point/sweep
MeaningThey.
TipPoint or sweep toward the group.
Hand movementpoint/sweepUse pointing movement toward the group.
they
ASL line. flat B hand
MeaningTheirs.
TipUse the flat hand toward the group instead of the pointing finger.
Hand movementflat B handAim the possessive hand toward the group space.

Common Mistake

Do not point for HIS, HERS, or THEIRS. If the handshape stays as the index finger, it looks like he, she, or they instead of possession.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

ASL uses signing space to keep track of people. The deeper grammar term is spatial reference, but the beginner habit is simple: set a person or group in one place and keep using that place consistently.