How to Sign "Were" in ASL: The Short Answer and What to Sign Instead

The short answer

American Sign Language (ASL), the main sign language used in the US, generally has no separate sign for "were." ASL is its own language with its own grammar, not a word-for-word version of English. Forms of "to be" (am, is, are, was, were) are usually left out. The rest of the sentence carries the meaning, and context shows the time.

So the practical answer is usually to skip "were" and show past time another way. The exception is when you need the English word itself, which is covered further down.

First, check which word you mean

Searches for "were" often mean one of three different words. Each is signed differently:

• "Were" (past tense of "to be," as in "they were tired"): usually not signed. You show the past through time signs or context.
• "We're" (short for "we are"): sign WE. The "are" part is dropped, as with other forms of "to be."
• "Where" (a question word): ASL has a common sign, WHERE. Raise your index finger with the palm facing outward and shake it slightly from side to side, usually with the eyebrows drawn down, as for other question-word questions.

How to show past tense instead of signing "were"

ASL usually marks time once, often near the start of a sentence or story. Everything after that is understood to be in that time frame until the signer changes it. Common ways to do this:

• Use a specific time sign, such as YESTERDAY, LAST-WEEK or a named day.
• Use a general past sign, such as PAST or BEFORE. These are typically made with movement backward, toward or over the shoulder, because ASL commonly places the past behind the signer.
• Rely on context that is already clear, such as an ongoing conversation about last weekend.

The examples below use gloss, a common way of writing signs as capitalized English words. Gloss is only a rough guide and is not a full translation, because facial expression and movement also carry meaning.

English:  They were happy yesterday.
ASL gloss: YESTERDAY THEY HAPPY

English:  We were at the park.
ASL gloss: BEFORE WE PARK THERE   (or start with a specific time sign)

English:  Were you there?
ASL gloss: YOU THERE?   (eyebrows raised for a yes/no question)

In questions, the facial expression does much of the grammatical work. Raised eyebrows usually mark a yes/no question, such as "Were you there?" Lowered eyebrows usually go with question-word questions, such as "Where were you?"

When you might need the English word itself

Some situations call for showing the English word exactly, such as teaching English grammar or discussing a particular word. In those cases, signers often fingerspell it: W-E-R-E. Fingerspelling means spelling a word letter by letter with the manual alphabet.

There are also English-based signing systems, sometimes used in education, that add signs for English grammar words, including forms of "to be." These systems differ from ASL and from each other. The sources available for this article did not describe their exact signs for "were," so check a dictionary or instructor for the system you are using rather than assuming one form.

Outside the US

Sign languages are not universal. British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and others have their own grammar and vocabulary, so this guidance applies to ASL only. If you are asking about another country's sign language, check a resource for that language.

Check your signing, including on camera

To confirm you have it right, compare your sentence with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary or course, or ask a Deaf signer or certified ASL instructor. Video is better than written descriptions, because movement, palm direction and facial expression are hard to capture in text.

Recording yourself is a useful way to check. If you plan to practice or sign over a video call, run through these steps:

• Confirm camera access. Your browser or operating system must allow the app to use the camera. Permission alone does not mean video is being captured, so check that a live preview actually appears.
• Frame from about the waist up. Leave room on both sides so your hands stay in view, and keep your face visible, since facial expression is part of the grammar.
• Light your face and hands from the front. Strong backlighting, such as a bright window behind you, can turn your hands into silhouettes.
• Use a plain, uncluttered background that contrasts with your skin and clothing. This can be a physical wall or backdrop. Virtual blur or background-replacement effects in call apps can sometimes clip or smear fast-moving hands, so test any effect before relying on it.
• Watch the recording or preview back. Seeing video does not guarantee good call quality, because a choppy or low-resolution stream can still blur hand shapes. If possible, ask the other person whether your signs come through clearly.

Gaps in this guide

This guide reflects general, widely taught principles of ASL grammar. No dictionary entries, video references or specific signing-system documentation were supplied for it. For exact hand shapes, regional variations or any classroom signing system, confirm with a qualified ASL source.