American Sign Language: "pull" There are many, many ways to sign this concept. It all depends on what you mean. In general you mime the act of pulling whatever is being "pulled." The generic sign for pull uses "S"-handshapes and looks as if you are holding onto a rope (extending out in front of you) with both hands. This version could be used to mean "pull something towards me" or "pull on a rope." PULL: If you mean "pull" as in "Pull a tooth" then use an "S"-handshape near the mouth (as if holding a pair of pliers) and mime the act of pulling a tooth. PULL-a-tooth: " Notes: Occasionally you may see the "pull on a rope" sign above used to mean "pull" a person or group to your way of thinking, (as in, "We will trip to pull him into our camp"). This is a somewhat metaphorical use of the sign and is not "wrong" however you should also make sure that if you mean "pull" as in "influence" then you know and can use the sign for "influence." Example, "He influenced their decision." See: INFLUENCE Also see: "PUSH" You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk." Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT > Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: "pull"

There are many, many ways to sign this concept. It all depends on what you mean.
In general you mime the act of pulling whatever is being "pulled."

The generic sign for pull uses "S"-handshapes and looks as if you are holding onto a rope (extending out in front of you) with both hands. This version could be used to mean "pull something towards me" or "pull on a rope."

PULL:

If you mean "pull" as in "Pull a tooth" then use an "S"-handshape near the mouth (as if holding a pair of pliers) and mime the act of pulling a tooth.

PULL-a-tooth:

"

Notes:

Occasionally you may see the "pull on a rope" sign above used to mean "pull" a person or group to your way of thinking, (as in, "We will trip to pull him into our camp"). This is a somewhat metaphorical use of the sign and is not "wrong" however you should also make sure that if you mean "pull" as in "influence" then you know and can use the sign for "influence." Example, "He influenced their decision." See: INFLUENCE

Also see: "PUSH"

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk."

Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT >

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language University ™