Either hand can be used by forming an "I" handshape and gently tapping the tip of the pinky on or near the cheek bone of the same side of the face a few times. Some signers may start by placing the pinky tip on the cheekbone and then pulling the hand away from the face to for the letter "F" to spell "IF."
Sign "if" by tapping your pinky on your cheekbone, then sign "rain," "we," "stay," and "home." Remember to raise your eyebrows while signing "if it rains" to indicate a conditional clause.
Point to yourself, sign "know," then sign "if" using the "I" to "F" handshape motion pulling away from your cheek, followed by "you," "need," and "help."
Sign "I," "don't care," then use your "I" handshape to gently tap your cheekbone for "if," followed by pointing to "he" and signing "come."
Sign "if" by tapping your pinky on your cheekbone, then sign "rain," "we," "stay," and "home." Remember to raise your eyebrows while signing "if it rains" to indicate a conditional clause.
Point to yourself, sign "know," then sign "if" using the "I" to "F" handshape motion pulling away from your cheek, followed by "you," "need," and "help."
Sign "I," "don't care," then use your "I" handshape to gently tap your cheekbone for "if," followed by pointing to "he" and signing "come."
Yes! In ASL, 'if' usually starts a conditional sentence. To show this grammatically, you should raise your eyebrows and tilt your head slightly forward while signing 'if' and the condition that follows.
Both the tapping 'I' handshape and the 'I' to 'F' spelling motion are perfectly correct and widely understood. You can choose whichever feels more comfortable for you, though it is helpful to recognize both when watching others sign.
Absolutely. You can use either hand to sign 'if.' Just be sure to tap the cheekbone on the same side as the hand you are using. Most signers prefer to use their dominant hand for this sign.
