Took in Sign Language: How to Sign the Past Tense of "Take" in ASL

The short answer

American Sign Language (ASL) has no separate sign for "took." ASL generally does not change a verb's form to show past tense the way English does. To sign "took," use the sign for TAKE and show that the action is in the past. You can do that with a time sign such as YESTERDAY or PAST, with the sign FINISH, or through context that a conversation has already set up.

Two things can change the answer. First, which sign you need depends on what was taken: grabbing an object, taking a class and taking a photo can use different signs. Second, sign languages differ by country. This guide covers ASL, which is used in the United States. Russian Sign Language, British Sign Language and others have their own signs, so a reader looking for the Russian equivalent should check a source for that language.

How to sign TAKE (to grab or take something)

• Hold your dominant hand open in front of you, fingers spread or slightly curved, as if you are about to grab something.
• Pull the hand back toward your body.
• Close the hand into a fist as it moves, as if you are taking hold of the object.
• Keep the movement smooth and deliberate rather than snatching.

Descriptions of handshapes and movement can only go so far. Signs vary by region, by signer and by context, so compare this description against a video dictionary or a Deaf ASL instructor before relying on it.

Showing that it happened in the past

ASL usually sets the time frame once, often near the start of a sentence or conversation. Everything after it is understood to be in that time until the signer marks a change. The usual ways to turn TAKE into "took" are:

• A time sign at the start: for example, YESTERDAY, then the rest of the sentence with TAKE.
• PAST or BEFORE: a flat hand moving back over the shoulder marks something that already happened.
• FINISH: signed after the verb to show the action is complete, similar to "already took."
• Context: if the conversation is already about past events, TAKE alone can carry the meaning "took."

ASL word order often differs from English. A sentence such as "I took the book yesterday" may be signed in an order like YESTERDAY BOOK I TAKE. The exact structure depends on emphasis and context.

When "took" needs a different sign

English uses "take" in many idioms, and ASL usually signs the meaning rather than the English word. Check which meaning you need before choosing a sign:

English phrase | What to sign in ASL

Took the book (grabbed or picked it up) | TAKE, with a past-time marker

Took a photo | The sign for taking a picture, not TAKE

Took a class | A sign meaning to enroll or attend, not the grabbing sign

Took a long time | A sign about time or duration, not TAKE

Took medicine | A sign showing the medicine, such as a pill, being taken

No verified source was supplied for the exact forms of these alternative signs, so they are not described step by step here. Look each one up in an ASL video dictionary or ask a qualified instructor.

Checking your signing on camera

Recording yourself with a webcam or phone is a simple way to compare your sign against a reference video. It also helps when you will be signing on a video call. Check these points:

• Camera access: confirm that the browser or app is allowed to use the camera. Having permission does not guarantee a working picture, so check the preview as well.
• Framing: keep your head, shoulders, chest and the full signing space in view, including your hands when they move away from your body.
• Lighting: light your face and hands from the front so handshapes and facial expressions stay visible. ASL grammar uses facial expressions, not just the hands.
• Background: a plain physical background that contrasts with your skin and clothing keeps hands easy to read.
• Virtual backgrounds and blur: these call effects can cut off or smear fast-moving hands. If parts of a sign disappear in the preview, turn the effect off.
• Call quality: a clear preview does not guarantee clear video for the other person. A slow connection can blur motion, so ask the viewer whether the signs come through clearly.

Gaps and next steps

No specific dictionary entries, regional variants or expert-reviewed sources were supplied for this guide, so the descriptions above follow general ASL principles. For accurate signing, especially in communication with Deaf people, confirm each sign with a video reference or a Deaf ASL teacher, then compare your own recording with it.