Commas with the vocative case
 

Grammar Monster Home |  Glossary of Terms  |  Common Errors  |  FAQs  |  Grammar Chat  |  Download  |  Grammar Checker   Commas are used to show the vocative case. (also covered in lesson "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. 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".)

Associated lessons:   What is the vocative case? Commas after a sentence introductions Commas after a transitional phrase Commas after interjections (yes, no, indeed) Commas before conjunctions (and, or, but) Commas for parenthesis Commas in lists Commas with a long subject Commas with numbers Commas with quotation (speech) marks

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