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PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Saw"

To sign "saw" (which is the same as the sign for "see"), form a "V" handshape with your dominant hand by extending your index and middle fingers. Bring your hand up near your face, placing the fingertips just below your eye with your palm facing toward you. Move your hand forward and slightly down, away from your face. In ASL, verbs are not conjugated for tense, so this forward motion representing your line of sight is used for both "see" and "saw".

Examples Using "Saw" in a Sentence

1

I saw a dog yesterday.

To sign this, start with the time marker 'yesterday' to establish the past tense. Then point to yourself for 'I', sign 'saw' by moving the 'V' handshape forward from your eye, and finish with the sign for 'dog'.

2

We saw a great movie.

Sign 'we' by moving your index finger from one shoulder to the chest. Then use the 'saw' sign moving forward from your eye, followed by 'good' and 'movie'. The past tense is understood from the context of your conversation.

3

I saw my friend at the store.

Establish the past tense if needed, then point to yourself for 'I'. Sign 'saw' with the 'V' handshape moving away from your face, followed by 'my', 'friend', and 'store'. Your line of sight is directed toward the imaginary friend.

How to Sign "Saw"
To sign "saw" (which is the same as the sign for "see"), form a "V" handshape with your dominant hand by extending your index and middle fingers. Bring your hand up near your face, placing the fingertips just below your eye with your palm facing toward you. Move your hand forward and slightly down, away from your face. In ASL, verbs are not conjugated for tense, so this forward motion representing your line of sight is used for both "see" and "saw".
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "saw" (and "see") is highly iconic and visually intuitive. The "V" handshape directly represents a pair of eyes. By placing these "eyes" near your actual face and moving them outward, the sign physically traces the invisible line of sight traveling from you to the object you are observing. It perfectly captures the action of directing your vision toward something in your environment.
Signing Tips
When signing "saw", think of your index and middle fingers as your own two eyes looking outward. Make sure the forward movement is clear and directed toward whatever you are looking at. Because ASL doesn't change the verb itself to show past tense, remember to establish the time frame (like "past" or "yesterday") at the beginning of your sentence. This ensures your conversation partner knows you mean "saw" instead of "see" or "will see".
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is trying to alter the sign's movement to indicate the past tense, such as pulling the hand backward. While moving the hand over the shoulder is used for the general sign "past", the verb "see" should always move forward toward the object being seen. Another frequent error is actually poking the face; ensure your fingers start a safe, comfortable distance from your eye.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Saw" in a Sentence
1

I saw a dog yesterday.

To sign this, start with the time marker 'yesterday' to establish the past tense. Then point to yourself for 'I', sign 'saw' by moving the 'V' handshape forward from your eye, and finish with the sign for 'dog'.

2

We saw a great movie.

Sign 'we' by moving your index finger from one shoulder to the chest. Then use the 'saw' sign moving forward from your eye, followed by 'good' and 'movie'. The past tense is understood from the context of your conversation.

3

I saw my friend at the store.

Establish the past tense if needed, then point to yourself for 'I'. Sign 'saw' with the 'V' handshape moving away from your face, followed by 'my', 'friend', and 'store'. Your line of sight is directed toward the imaginary friend.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the sign for "saw" exactly the same as "see"?

ASL does not conjugate verbs to show tense like English does. Instead, ASL uses time markers (like "yesterday" or "last week") at the beginning of a sentence. Once the past tense is established, you simply use the standard present-tense verb.

Do I need to physically touch my face when signing this?

No, you do not need to touch your face. Bring your "V" handshape close to your cheek or just below your eye, but keep it a comfortable distance away before moving it forward to avoid poking yourself.

Can I use this sign for "watching" television?

While "see" and "watch" are related concepts, "watch" uses a different sign that implies continuous observation. Use this specific "V" handshape sign for the momentary act of seeing or catching sight of something, rather than prolonged watching.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!