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Commas with direct address
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Comments
Please do not hesitate to contact us at noslangues.ourlanguages@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca if you have any comments or suggestions about this feature.
Question
Do I need a comma in the sentence below?
Gemma please pass the salt.
Answer
Yes, you need a comma in your sentence because you are addressing Gemma by her name. In this case, the comma would come after the name "Gemma":
Gemma, please pass the salt.
In direct address—that is, when you speak directly to someone using that person's name—you use one or more commas to separate the name from the rest of the sentence.
Claudio, I heard you made ricotta dumplings for supper.
Show me the dress you bought, Samina.
Tell me, Carl, how do you like your new job?
Note that the name used in direct address can appear at the beginning, at the end or in the middle of the sentence.
Finally, direct address doesn't need to involve a name. A title can be used in place of a name, as in the following examples:
Excuse me, sir, you dropped something.
Girls and boys, listen up!
Ladies and gentlemen, the play is about to begin.
