RULES FOR SIGNING VERBS

Verbs may consist of one word, (e.g. do), two words, (e.g. am doing) three words, (e.g. will be doing). Each of these words has its own sign which is performed in the same sequence as in the phrase or sentence to be signed. Some verbs, (e.g. want) are signed with only one hand, while other verbs, (e.g. do) require the use of both hands.

Verbs in the SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE, (e.g. see, come) require no special rule, the word for the verb alone being signed, except for the 3rd PERSON SINGULAR, (e.g. he sees, she falls) when the verb is signed first and, immediately after making the sign, and keeping the hand in the same location, the hand is changed to, 1st finger hand , back upward and 1st finger pointing forward; then with 1st finger trace outwards-downwards semicircle one finger breadth diameter. For a two handed sign, one hand must remain stationary on completion of the original sign, while the other hand, (the moving hand if only one hand moved during the performance of the sign) makes the sign for the 3rd Person Singular.

THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE of a verb, (e.g. wanting, doing is formed by first signing the verb, then immediately afterwards signing the suffix -ING in the same location. This form is also used for the PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE (e.g. I am walking, we are going). If the sign for the verb requires the use of both hands, then the suffix -ING is made with one hand while the other hand is kept stationary. The moving hand is used if only one hand has moved during the performance of the sign.

The -ING sign is made by changing the hand to Thumb 1st finger hand, thumb and 1st finger pointing forward & fingers forward-upward, with tip of 1st finger on ball of thumb, then by finger-action flicking 1st finger forward-upwards to Y-hand. For example; seeing and falling.

Verbs in the SIMPLE PAST TENSE, (e.g. saw, fell) are formed according to whether the sign for the verb itself requires the use of one or both hands. When the sign for the verb requires only one hand, the verb is signed with one hand and, at the same time, the other hand is held as TIME and then moved backward-outwards one hand length. When the sign for the verb requires the use of both hands, the verb is first signed and then, keeping one hand stationary, the other hand is held as TIME; then moved backward-outwards one hand length. When the BASIC SIGN SURFACE is incorporated in a sign, the SURFACE hand is turned over to a TIME hand and then moved backward-outwards one hand length.

The PAST PARTICIPLE of a verb (e.g. seen, fallen etc.), is formed by first signing the verb in its PAST TENSE, then, at the end of the backward-outwards movement of the TIME hand, by finger-action changing the TIME hand to L-hand, back upward and fingers (fingers) forward-inward. When the PASSIVE FORM of a verb is to be signed, (e.g. is wanted), the word `wanted' is expressed as if it were in the Past Principle form and not in the simple Past Tense.

THE FUTURE, is expressed in English in a number of ways, `we will do it', `he'll do it', `we are going to do it' etc. Each word is then signed in sequence and the most appropriate form of speech can be used.

AUXILIARY VERBS. The following Auxiliary verbs are so frequently used in English for forming questions or with the negative, (especially the contracted form of not -- n't.) that all of them, except `had', `did' and `used' have their own place in the Manual. There are three examples of the 3rd Person Singular amongst them and they too have their own specific signs (is, has and does).