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How to Use a Comma to Address Somebody Specifically

A comma can save a life. The difference between "Let's go eat Cathy" and "Let's go eat, Cathy" is one vocative comma and one life. Punctuation has been clearing up confusion since around 200 B.C and will continue to be popular for as long as writers seek clarity in communication. Although punctuation usage can reduce confusion, knowing when to use a comma can be confusing itself and so deserves a little extra study. After all, it could save a life.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Think of a sentence you would like to say to a specific person; for example, 'Anne' needs to know that she is a lovely person. Write the sentence, without the proper name, as though you are talking directly to the person: "You are a lovely person."

    • 2

      Read the sentence aloud, inserting the name in different places. The proper name should generally begin or end a sentence, or follow the pronoun. Ex.: "You Anne are a lovely person," "Anne you are a lovely person" or "You are a lovely person Anne."

    • 3

      Write the sentence you have chosen and add the proper name and one or two commas. Place the comma directly after the proper name if the name begins a sentence, directly before the proper name if it ends a sentence, or on either side of it is placed in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Anne, you are a lovely person," "You are a lovely person, Anne" or "You, Anne, are a lovely person."

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