How to Sign "Forgot"
To sign “Forgot”, Using your dominant hand open five fingers but middle finger bent on the middle of your forehead. Then dragging your hand across your forehead, like any of your thoughts were not show up.
Examples Using "Forgot" in a Sentence
1
I forgot my keys at home.
Sign 'I', then place your dominant hand with the bent middle finger on your forehead and drag it across for 'forgot', followed by 'keys' and 'home'.
2
Sorry, I forgot your name.
Start by signing 'Sorry', point to yourself for 'I', perform the dragging motion across your forehead with your bent middle finger for 'forgot', and finish with 'your name'.
3
I completely forgot about the test!
Sign 'Test', point to yourself, and sign 'forgot' by dragging your bent middle finger across your forehead while using a shocked or frustrated facial expression to show you completely drew a blank.
How to Sign "Forgot"
To sign “Forgot”, Using your dominant hand open five fingers but middle finger bent on the middle of your forehead. Then dragging your hand across your forehead, like any of your thoughts were not show up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually represents the concept of a thought being wiped away or failing to appear. In ASL, the forehead often represents the mind or brain. The dragging motion of the finger illustrates the mind being cleared or drawing a blank, showing that the information has slipped away.
Signing Tips
Focus on getting the handshape right: keep your hand open with all fingers extended except for the middle finger, which should be bent inward. Make sure the tip of that bent middle finger makes light contact with your forehead as you drag it outward toward the side of your head.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a completely flat palm or a closed fist instead of keeping the fingers open with just the middle finger bent. Another frequent error is pulling the hand forward and away from the face rather than dragging it horizontally across the forehead.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Forgot" in a Sentence
1I forgot my keys at home.
Sign 'I', then place your dominant hand with the bent middle finger on your forehead and drag it across for 'forgot', followed by 'keys' and 'home'.
2Sorry, I forgot your name.
Start by signing 'Sorry', point to yourself for 'I', perform the dragging motion across your forehead with your bent middle finger for 'forgot', and finish with 'your name'.
3I completely forgot about the test!
Sign 'Test', point to yourself, and sign 'forgot' by dragging your bent middle finger across your forehead while using a shocked or frustrated facial expression to show you completely drew a blank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which direction I drag my hand?
Yes, you should drag your dominant hand outward. Start from the middle of your forehead and move toward the side of your dominant hand (to the right if you are right-handed).
Are 'forget' and 'forgot' the same sign in ASL?
Yes! ASL does not change the sign based on past or present tense. You use the exact same dragging motion across the forehead for both. You establish the past tense through context or by adding a time sign like 'yesterday'.
Should my finger actually touch my forehead?
Yes, the tip of your bent middle finger should lightly touch your forehead as you drag it across. This physical contact helps emphasize the idea of wiping a thought from your mind.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!