Rulebase

Comma Between Two Proper Nouns to Prevent Confusion

The Comma

Rulebase Summary

Use a comma to separate two proper nouns that appear next to each other if they could cause confusion or misreading.

Morson's Rule 76 · p.47

Examples

A. I contacted Detective Harper Morrison about the case.

A. I contacted Detective Harper, Morrison, about the case.

Comma prevents misreading two proper nouns as one name.

A. I spoke with Martinez Torres about the arrangement.

A. I spoke with Martinez, Torres about the arrangement.

Comma between adjacent proper nouns prevents misreading.

Style Guide References (1)

Morson's

Rule 76 Page 47
See also (3)