We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. In the example immediately above, the serial comma makes it clear that the writer is taking two separate economics courses next semester. When a name or a title appears at the end of a sentence, the name or title can follow either a comma or no comma. QUESTION: Do you need a comma after "thank you," followed by someone's name? So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did. It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title. My friend John, who is a better painter than me, can do the walls for … Grammar.com. When the identifier makes sense in the sentence by itself, then the name is nonessential and you use a comma before it. ", I was looking at this as a source for my students and noticed first that "focusing" was spelled wrong, and then that you didn't capitalize all of the important words in the title of Hosseini's book. Otherwise, no comma. Some writers omit it, but doing so can cause confusion. “My sister Jane is a pain.” Whether this sentence is correct or not, actually, … … Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. Many people learn that a comma should be placed before a name or title, but that is not entirely true. When the name occurs right at the end, the comma still goes in. You can also think of the two commas/no commas distinction in terms of one vs. many. That's up to you. Hello, Nigel, Good morning, Kendra. Girl, have you been to Japon? So I called my. Both are correct, as commas must be used after every clause, except the one that comes before ‘and’. Traditionally, if a person's name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last name: Martin Luther King, Jr. Anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for female suffrage as well as for the abolition of slavery. Egs. How about this. "Lily made Panna Cotta, an Italian dessert", Yep, looks fine -- just make sure to add a period at the end :-). Would this be correct? "My wife Susan and I founded our company in 2012." Correct: Al … In addition, the mention of the friend in the next-to-last sentence (So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did) makes it clear that the writer is talking about one specific person. In this example, the inclusion of the name Jane is useful because provides more information about the friend’s identity, but it is not actually necessary for the sentence to make sense in context. Then it starts to look like three people founded the company: My wife, Susan, and me. What's the difference between this question and the Case 3 example? It's one thing to put LLC or Inc, in your name, but is it proper to place a comma before them? People often get muddled about whether to place a comma before conjunctions like and, so, … It all depends on the context. You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. After a time phrase that comes before a sentence or … The states do not require or mandate the use of a comma between the title of your business and the corporation or LLC designation when naming your business. It should read 'The distinguished scientist Mr Stephen, of AKL University, will be addressing the crowd tomorrow.' It’s a bit confusing, but the difference is that dear is an adjective for John , while hi is an interjection and should be separated from the name by the comma. Eg. In the first version of the sentence, the missing comma implies that the name, Coming in 2021: AP® Literature and Composition Guide, 2021 GMAT book updates delayed (serious printing error in Official Verbal Review). Again, both constructions are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. If you learned in school … 4. Before "then" when it separates two independent clauses. title is supposed to be italicized, too. "This would mean the speaker is telling about John to Tina (the friend). Note: This is the full explanation of this rule. . We use commas to show that we are talking to the reader, not about the reader. When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover, that there was enough space in the yard for a garden.There was just one problem – I’d, never actually planted one. The choice to use or not use a comma in the LLC name is not required in any state law. I’ve always been interested in gardening, but until recently, I didn’t have room for flowers or plants. But there are several things to consider before choosing to use or not use a comma. We truly appreciate your support. Here, the name Elizabeth Cady Stanton is essential because the reference to Stanton in the following sentence does not make sense otherwise. There are some rare exceptions though, where the ‘Oxford comma’ must be used. If you are not sure whether commas should be placed around a name or title, try crossing the name/title out and reading the sentence in context without it. Write to us your doubts and queries through comments. 2 Dec. 2020. If it’s at the end, you put the comma in front. Web. Do you need a comma after Director? Answer: Yes, you need to use a comma between the person’s name and the greeting. The reason is "direct address." Omitting the serial comma makes this unclear. Let’s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. Or to … It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. These guides recommend the consistent use of commas around a husband or wife's name when it is used in apposition: The Chicago Manual of Style states: "A word, abbreviation, phrase, or clause that is in apposition to a noun (i.e., provides an explanatory equivalent) is normally set off by commas if it is nonrestrictive–that is, … Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web! The first thing to know is that there are generally only two correct options: two commas, one before and one after the name/title, or no commas at all. "The correct way to use commas with names and titles." In the main text of your written work, use a suffix that is an essential part of the name—like Jr. or a roman numeral—when you cite a person’s name in full. Here is the text of a deleted spam … This probably the first use of commas … If the person or thing you are addressing comes at the beginning of the sentence, place a comma after it. Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing -- and it's FREE! Short answer: If you have only one cousin (or only one aunt), put commas around that person’s name.If, however, you have more than one cousin (or more than one aunt), do not use commas around the name. Hi, Maria. However, if a comma does precede Sr. or Jr., another comma must follow the entire name when it appears midsentence. So what’s the difference between the the two correct versions? Or better yet, drop the 'The' too. Although both versions are grammatically acceptable, only the second one creates a logical meaning. Confusing. What do you know, Joe? While a comma after the title may be correct on rare occasions (which don’t concern us here), a comma only before a name or title is wrong. If the sentence makes sense, you probably need the commas; if the sentence doesn’t make sense, you probably do not need the commas. STANDS4 LLC, 2020. Do you put commas around "Susan?" Correct: My friend, Jane, has a lot more gardening experience than I do. If you are taking the SAT or ACT and want the simplified version that applies to virtually all “commas with names/titles” questions on those exams, click here. Perhaps the following instance will illustrate this point. Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. Finally, let’s consider an instance in which only the comma after the name is necessary: I’ve always been interested in gardening, but until recently, I didn’t have room for flowers or plants. There is a name for the usage of a comma before and after a name: noun in apposition. Correct: Al Mooney Sr. is here. A: I use commas before (or after or around) names used in direct address (that is, when you’re addressing somebody), as in “Hello, Laura,” or “Rodney, welcome,” or “Honey, I’m home!” If the name is at the beginning of a sentence, you put a comma after it. ): The dog barked at a cat, and the cat ran up a tree. Incorrect: The controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige’s true date of birth was stoked by Paige’s mother Lula. Note, though, that Danny is the direct address in the example above and … When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover that there was enough space in the yard for a garden. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule. Use Commas to Separate Items in a List. Correct: My friend Jane has a lot more gardening experience than I do. Luckily, that friend, Jane, agreed to come over the next day. Luckily, Jane said she’d come over right away. States With The Best College Completion … If the person or thing you are addressing is named at the end of the sentence, put a comma before the name. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list. The use of the vocative comma is fairly straightforward. The information and opinions expressed on The Critical Reader are the exclusive work of Erica Meltzer and are in no way affiliated with the College Board or the ACT. When the name appears somewhere inside the sentence, you must place a comma before and after the name. Grammar. In the first version of the sentence, the missing comma implies that the name Lula is essential – that is, the name must be included to necessary to specify which of Paige’s mothers the sentence is referring to. When placing any names at the end of a sentence, a comma must always come before it. This comma is no longer considered mandatory. Compare the following pair of sentences. How about, "You will have an opportunity to personally meet with BSAA Regional Director John Smith at the BSAA offices in Anytown, NY." After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages. That comma is optional. So I called my friend Jane, who had a lot more gardening experience than I did. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation. Critical Thinking: Why is it So Hard to Teach? The Quick Answer When addressing a person or thing directly, the name used must be offset with a comma (or commas if it's mid-sentence). In contrast, the comma before Lula in the second version of the sentence implies that Paige only had one mother, and that her name was Lula – a far more logical implication given the circumstances of his life. When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover that there was enough space in the yard for a garden.There was just one problem – I’d never actually planted one. For example, consider the following passage: In the mid-nineteenth century, Susan B. Anthony and her acquaintance Elizabeth Cady Stanton became two of the leading figures in the women’s rights movement. So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience, that there was enough space in the yard for a garden. A thousand splendid suns, authored by Khaled Hosseini, is a fantastic novel. Joe, what do you know? In English, when you address someone (or something) directly, the name you use is offset with a comma (if it's at the start or end of the sentence) or two commas (if it's in the middle). In addition, the most logical implication is also that Stanton was one of Susan B. Anthony’s acquaintances rather than her only acquaintance. Here, the lack of a comma before the name indicates that it is essential – it clarifies who Jane is so that the mention of her name in the following sentence make sense. In a sentence, add a comma after … That. (But see exceptions below.) Hope you liked the article. The two women also edited and published a newspaper, the Revolution, from 1868 to 1870. After an initial/introductory adverb that modifies a whole sentence or independent clause. Is a comma necessary in a sentence like: There was just one problem – I’d never actually planted one. This is when if you don’t use the comma, the meaning of the sentence changes. ‘Terry will call for you at eight, Joan.’ “We are all going by train this time, Bill.’ 3. For example, take … The final comma in a list of items is known as an Oxford comma or serial comma. It is incorrect to place only one comma before … Sure? “who is a better painter than me” is incorrect. But that does not make sense: Paige – an African-American man born in 1906 in Alabama – could have had only one mother. Use a comma in your dates to separate date and year. In the examples below, the words in the vocative case are shaded: Let’s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word (s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. No commas around a name or title indicate that it is essential to the meaning of a sentence – the sentence will, Commas around a name or title indicate that it is NOT essential to the meaning of a sentence  – the sentence, In the mid-nineteenth century, Susan B. Anthony and her acquaintance, Anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for, female suffrage as well as for the abolition of slavery. I know it is when saying names, but what about girl or boy? Grammarly. Its use has nothing to do with the name. The Comma Before Inc. or LLC. Is the comma after girl necessary? Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. Let’s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. So, I'm thinking I'm not going to look to this source to provide grammar advice. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, … It takes a comma before the conjunction (and, but, or, etc. Free APUSH 2020 PDF Guide (Larry Krieger), Why You Won’t Go to Harvard on a National Merit Scholarship. When you address someone directly, their name is said to be in the vocative case. Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. The two women also edited and, or plants. Who really benefits from test-optional policies. A comma before a name makes your meaning clear When you address people directly in writing, whether in the greeting or in the body of your message, and you use a name, the name must be preceded by a comma. ... At the end of the letter, a comma would come after the signoff and before your name: Eternally yours, Faust _____ Also on The Huffington Post: PHOTO GALLERY. They serve amazing sushi. How I Rewired My Brain to Become Fluent in Math, Silent StopWatch (for standardized tests), The Usefulness of Brief Instruction in Reading Comprehension Strategies, What David Coleman Doesn’t Know About Literature, Why a Great Individual is Better than a Good Team. An estimated 80 percent of LLCs have a comma between their name and the LLC in many states. Before a coordinating conjunction when it separates an independent and dependent clause as an Oxford comma. Apposition places two nouns side by side, usually with the second noun being more specific than the first. Luckily, Jane said she’d come over right away. There was just one problem – I’d, never actually planted one. Layla said, “I don’t know what to do anymore, Danny.”. “who is a better painter than I” is correct because the “am” is understood. I remember a comma rule that clarifies if you would only have one wife who is Susan or multiple wives of which Susan is one, but can't remember. 2. EXCEPTION TO ANSWERS: The answers stating that a comma must follow “thank you” and precede the name, as in “Thank you, Frank” are … Correct: The controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige’s true date of birth was stoked by Paige’s mother, Lula. Let’s start simple. It all depends on the context. https://www.grammar.com/the_correct_way_to_use_commas_with_names_and_titles. Danny, thank you for your thoughtful … Thanks for your vote! Both of these examples involve one of the most complicated comma uses: the appendage comma with nonrestrictives. than I did. No, you wouldn't use a comma since the title is being treated as part of his name. While “Dear Charlie, …” is correct with just a comma after Charlie, if you go the less-formal route, it should be “Hi, Charlie,” with a comma between Hi and Charlie. THIS was the example I was hoping to find here but did not. Kym Utah The case 3 example is wrong. Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how you’re using and. In this case, however, a comma is necessary to set off the clause begun by who. Do not place a comma before numbered suffixes: John D. Rockefeller IV Place a comma before Jr. and Sr.: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Appositives act … Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading. Do not use a comma for titles that appear before the person's name, such as \"the Reverend Joe Smith\" or \"Doctor Mary Richards.\" Also do not include both a person's title, such as doctor, and their corresponding degree, such as M.D., at the same time. 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