Download NOUN/VERB

American Sign Language Grammar
NOUN/VERB PAIRS
ASL uses Nouns (person, place, or thing)
and Verbs (shows action) differently.
The signs used for specific nouns and verbs
may be similar so it is the
MOVEMENT of the sign that changes.
The NOUN/VERB PAIR RULE:
(this applies to most, but not all NOUN/PAIRS)
NOUNS use a smaller space and move multiple times
VERBS use a larger space and move one time
Examples:
NOUN-VERB pairs in ASL(not a complete list)
1. Pairs that follow the 2 motion/1 motion rule.
Noun
Verb
Verb
BOOK
OPEN-BOOK
CLOSE BOOK
DOOR
OPEN-DOOR
CLOSE-DOOR
GATE
OPEN-GATE
CLOSE-GATE
DRAWER
OPEN-DRAWER
CLOSE-DRAWER
WINDOW
OPEN-WINDOW
CLOSE-WINDOW
GLASSES
PUT-ON-GLASSES
TAKE-OFF-GLASSES
HEARING-AID
PUT-ON-HEARING-AID
TAKE-OFF-HEARING-AID
WATCH
PUT-ON-WATCH
TAKE-OFF-WATCH
BRACELET
PUT-ON-BRACELET
TAKE-OFF-BRACELET
LID
*SCREW-ON-LID
*UNSCREW-LID
CARDS
PUT-DOWN-CARD
PICK-UP-CARD
WALLET
OPEN-WALLET
CLOSE-WALLET
OUTLET
PLUG-IN
UNPLUG
FISHING
CAST-LINE
PULL-IN-LINE
EARRING
PUT-ON-EARRING
TAKE-OFF-EARRING
(note:pierced and clip-on have different hand shapes)
CAR
DRIVE-TO-_______
PLANE
FLY-TO-_______
TRAIN
TRAIN-TO-_________
SKIS
GO-BY-SKI-TO___________
BOAT
GO-BY-BOAT-TO-___________
BACKPACK
PUT-ON-BACKPACK
CLIPPERS
CLIP-NAIL
GUN
SHOOT-GUN-AT-__________
RING
PUT-RING-ON-____-FINGER
WHISTLE
BLOW-WHISTLE
SCREWDRIVER
USE-SCREWDRIVER
CHAIR
SIT
SCISSORS
CUT
STORE
SELL
CLOTHES
GET-DRESSED
PAINT
PAINT
PHONE
CALL-BY-PHONE
GAS
PUT-IN-GAS
MEETING
MEET-WITH
TICKET
GIVE/GET-TICKET
ADVICE
I-ADVISE-you
NEWSPAPER
PRINT/PUBLISH
ARCHERY
SHOOT-ARROW
PHOTOGRAPHY
TAKE-PICTURE
BASEBALL
SWING-BAT
SOCCER
KICK
TENNIS
SWING-RACKET
GAME
PLAY-AGAINST/CHALLENGE
PLANT
GROW
PILL
TAKE-PILL
BLOOD-PRESSURE
TAKE-BLOOD-PRESSURE
2. Pairs that follow the small/large motion rule.
Noun
Verb
PEN/PENCIL
WRITE
CAR
DRIVE-CAR
BIKE
RIDE-BIKE
HAIR-DRYER
DRY-HAIR
TYPEWRITER
TYPE
PIANO
PLAY-PIANO
CARPENTER
DO-WOODWORK
BABY
ROCK-BABY
ICE-CREAM
LICK-ICE-CREAM
LAWN-MOWER
USE-LAWN-MOWER
COMB
COMB-HAIR
BROOM
SWEEP
BROOM(alt.)
SWEEP(alt.)
MOP
MOP-UP
BLACKBOARD-ERASER
ERASE-BLACKBOARD
FINGERNAIL-FILE
FILE-FINGERNAIL
IRON
IRON-CLOTHES
LIPSTICK
PUT-LIPSTICK-ON
SAW
CUT-WITH-SAW
ROLLERSKATES
ROLLERSKATING
ICE-SKATES
ICE-SKATING
TOWEL
RUB-BACK-WITH-TOWEL
TOOTHBRUSH
BRUSH-TEETH
VIOLIN
PLAY-VIOLIN