Comma with Nouns of Direct Address
The Comma
Rulebase Summary
Use a comma to separate the name or title of the person being spoken to (noun of direct address) from the rest of the sentence. If the name is at the beginning or end, use one comma. If it falls in the middle, use a pair of commas. The speaker's inflection can change the meaning — a comma placement can determine whether a name is being addressed or being discussed.
Morson's Rule 48 · p.32 BGGP Separating Comma.32 · p.197 BGGP Setting-Off Comma.15 · p.226
Examples
✗
Q. Doctor when did you first examine the patient?
✓
Q. Doctor, when did you first examine the patient?
Comma after a noun of direct address at the start.
✗
THE COURT: I am going to allow the question Counsel.
✓
THE COURT: I am going to allow the question, Counsel.
Comma before a noun of direct address at the end.
Style Guide References (3)
Morson's
Rule 48
Page 32
BGGP
Separating Comma.32
Page 197
BGGP
Setting-Off Comma.15
Page 226
See also (8)
See No Colon After a Noun of Direct Address (Salutations in Court) Related Comma with Introductory Exclamations (Well, Oh, Why, Alas, My) Compare Colon After a Formal Salutation Compare Dash After a Topic Word When the Sentence Breaks Off Related Comma to Separate a Statement from an Echo/Tag Question Compare Commas with Appositives See Introductory Element Comma Rules Apply Regardless of a Leading Coordinate Conjunction Related Commas with Parenthetical Expressions