How to Sign “Continue” in American Sign Language

If you want to say “continue” in American Sign Language (ASL), the most widely taught sign uses both hands stacked thumb-on-thumb and moved forward together. This guide shows how to form it, how to check your form, and when a different sign or meaning might apply.

The Short Answer

Make two fists with your thumbs pointing up. Rest your dominant thumb on top of your non-dominant thumb. Then move both hands forward, away from your body, in one short, smooth movement. The same sign is commonly used for related ideas such as “keep on,” “persist,” and “go on.”

This describes ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, are separate languages with their own vocabulary, so this sign may not apply there.

Step by Step

• 1. Identify your dominant hand, the one you normally write with. It does the top position in this sign.
• 2. Hold both hands in front of your chest as loose fists with the thumbs extended upward, similar to a thumbs-up.
• 3. Bring your hands together so the dominant hand is slightly behind the other. Rest the pad of your dominant thumb on the back of your non-dominant thumb.
• 4. Keep the thumbs in contact and move both hands forward together, away from your body, in one short, steady motion.
• 5. Stop the movement smoothly instead of snapping or bouncing the hands.

How to Check Your Form

• Both thumbs point up and stay touching for the whole movement.
• The dominant thumb sits on top of the non-dominant thumb, not beside it.
• The hands travel forward as a single unit rather than separately.
• The motion is short and controlled, staying in the space in front of your chest.
• Practising in a mirror or a phone's front camera lets you see the sign as others would. It confirms the shape and movement, but it can't tell you whether the sign is natural or regionally preferred. Feedback from a fluent signer is the best check for that.

Meaning and Variations

In ASL, signs carry meanings rather than word-for-word translations of English. The thumb-on-thumb sign covers the sense of something going on or someone persisting. Signers may stretch or repeat the movement to stress that something lasts a long time. Treat that as added emphasis, not the basic form.

If you mean “go ahead” or “keep talking” during a live conversation, signers may use other cues, such as a nod, instead of this sign. Regional and personal variation also exists, so the version you see in your local community may differ slightly.

Limitations of This Guide

No supporting evidence such as dictionary entries, videos or instructor input was supplied for this article. The description above reflects the commonly taught form, but it should be confirmed against a reputable ASL dictionary or video resource, or with a Deaf ASL instructor. A written description also can't fully capture facial expression and movement quality, both of which carry meaning in ASL.