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Mon 17 Sep, 2007 08:58 pm
Hi Tony.
Hi, Tony.
Which is the correct way to address a person? Is comma necessary?
Many thanks.
I disagree. The comma is necessary to set off the person being addressed from the remarks addressed to him.
Noddy24 wrote:I disagree. The comma is necessary to set off the person being addressed from the remarks addressed to him.
If there were any remarks following fair enough. But the quotes given, ending with a period, don't need the comma.
I agree with Noddy. The person being addressed should be isolated by commas.
I've noticed this difference in British English (and presumably Australian English) and American English.
Comma in American English, no comma in British English.
Wilso wrote:flyboy804 wrote:I agree with Noddy. The person being addressed should be isolated by commas.
Why?
Just a rule I learned many years ago. Probably as sozobe says, a difference between British and American rules.
I'm starting to think so.
sozobe wrote:I've noticed this difference in British English (and presumably Australian English) and American English.
Comma in American English, no comma in British English.
Sorry. the only difference is we're right. You're wrong.
:wink:
You got that backwards, bub!
http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/commas_lessons.htm
Quote:Commas are used to show the vocative case.
(also covered in lesson "Vocative Case")
VOCATIVE CASE?
When somebody is being addressed directly, his/her name must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma (or commas). (Names that are being addressed directly are said to be in the "vocative case".)
1. Separate names being addressed from rest of the sentence using a comma or commas.
Examples:
Alan, put your hand up if you do not understand.
("Alan" is being addressed. The word "Alan" is said to be in the "vocative
case". It must separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.)
Where do you think you are going, you little devil?
(Somebody is being addressed as "you little devil". Those words are in the
vocative case, and a comma is required.)
Absolutely, John, get your skates on. (Mini Test)
Grammar Monster has an excellent coverage of commas.
Even sounds wrong when I read it out loud. I expect that's an American site?
A comma is used if further information is attached.
But as a greeting or salutation, No comma!
Hi John.
Hi Fred.
John, do you know.....
Absolutely, John, get your skates on. (Mini Test) (see... further information is attached).
Back to back Wilso, mateship, diggers, football meat pies kangaroos and holden cars.
We'll be the big endians, they're the little endians. (Gullivers Travels)
Quote:
Absolutely, John, get your skates on. (Mini Test)
I agree with Wilso on this one. The comma after 'absolutely' gives the impression that 'absolutely' is said to an unnamed third party. It has a different meaning when it's 'Absolutely John, get your skates on.'
I'm in the Lynne Truss
Eats, shoots, and leaves camp. Use as little punctuation as possible - if there is no ambiguity without it there is no point putting it in.
However, I think that the anti-comma antipodeans don't like the comma because, when it's translated to speech it indicates a pause - not necessarily the case when written/read. And we all read with our lips moving - to scare off the flies.
hingehead wrote:Quote:
Absolutely, John, get your skates on. (Mini Test)
I agree with Wilso on this one. The comma after 'absolutely' gives the impression that 'absolutely' is said to an unnamed third party. It has a different meaning when it's 'Absolutely John, get your skates on.'
I'm in the Lynne Truss
Eats, shoots, and leaves camp. Use as little punctuation as possible - if there is no ambiguity without it there is no point putting it in.
However, I think that the anti-comma antipodeans don't like the comma because, when it's translated to speech it indicates a pause - not necessarily the case when written/read. And we all read with our lips moving - to scare off the flies.
That one to me depends on the entire context.
One of the other samples on the Comma site speaks of leaving a pub. Americans are much, much more likely to leave bars.
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