Comma After a Proper Name Followed by a Long Renaming Prepositional Phrase
The Comma
Rulebase Summary
When a proper name is followed by a long prepositional phrase that renames or identifies the person, use a comma (or commas) to set off the phrase. If the phrase is short, no commas are needed.
Morson's Rule 68 · p.43 BGGP Setting-Off Comma.26 · p.233
Examples
✗
A. I spoke with Janet Morales of the Department of Health and Human Services about the violation.
✓
A. I spoke with Janet Morales, of the Department of Health and Human Services, about the violation.
Long prepositional phrase renaming the person — set off with commas.
✗
Q. Did you speak with Detective Morrison of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department?
✓
Q. Did you speak with Detective Morrison, of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department?
Long prepositional phrase after name gets a comma.
Style Guide References (2)
Morson's
Rule 68
Page 43
BGGP
Setting-Off Comma.26
Page 233