American Sign Language: "give" The sign for "give" depends on your meaning. GIVE is a "directional verb." Directional verbs are signs that incorporate information about the subject and object (the doer and receiver of the action). That means you don't have to use a separate sign for the subject and/or object when you use a directional verb. This is known as "agreement." Or "subject-object agreement." me-GIVE-you (version 1) "hand to" GIVE-you (version 2) This version of the sign give uses an "x" handshape. you-GIVE-me: me-GIVE-him: If I wanted to indicate "HE GAVE IT TO ME," all I'd need to do is start the sign "GIVE" from a location that is farther away from my body and end the sign nearer to my body. he-GIVE-me: GIVE-to-everyone / "pass out" / distribute GIVE-to-each-person: You can learn sign language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

American Sign Language: "give"

The sign for "give" depends on your meaning. GIVE is a "directional verb." Directional verbs are signs that incorporate information about the subject and object (the doer and receiver of the action). That means you don't have to use a separate sign for the subject and/or object when you use a directional verb. This is known as "agreement." Or "subject-object agreement."

me-GIVE-you (version 1) "hand to"

GIVE-you (version 2)
This version of the sign give uses an "x" handshape.

you-GIVE-me:

me-GIVE-him:

If I wanted to indicate "HE GAVE IT TO ME," all I'd need to do is start the sign "GIVE" from a location that is farther away from my body and end the sign nearer to my body.

he-GIVE-me:

GIVE-to-everyone / "pass out" / distribute

GIVE-to-each-person: