using commas with names and titles

Let’s review the rules for using commas in such situations. Use it without a name: I beg your pardon, ma'am. I know it is when saying names, but what about girl or boy? In the following example, commas are used to set off the by phrase because the phrase is not integral to the meaning of the sentence:. The correct way to use commas with names and titles We use commas while combining multiple phrases in one sentence or writing about different items in a list. Alternately, you can style the list as a horizontal list, using semicolons to separate out the name/title pairs: Please send the memo to Jason, Chief Information Officer; Sarah, President; and … When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover that there was enough space in the yard for a garden. Grammar The rules for quotation marks around titles vary depending on which style guide you follow. Do not capitalize a title following a name if it includes the word "the." If you remove the phrase, the meaning is the same: Did Biden underperform the polls because some voters changed their minds after being polled? Names and Titles of Individuals. So, I'm thinking I'm not going to look to this source to provide grammar advice. A person’s title describes his or her job or education. You can also think of the two commas/no commas distinction in terms of one vs. many. "This would mean the speaker is telling about John to Tina (the friend). Correct, if pompous: The book was written by John Kenneth Galbraith, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Litt.D. Luckily, Jane said she’d come over right away. Critical Thinking: Why is it So Hard to Teach? Is the comma after girl necessary? If you are taking the SAT or ACT and want the simplified version that applies to virtually all “commas with names/titles” questions on those exams, click here. "Lily made Panna Cotta, an Italian dessert", Yep, looks fine -- just make sure to add a period at the end :-). Put a comma followed by the title “Ph.D.” after the name of a person who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy doctoral degree. In this example, the inclusion of the name Jane is useful because provides more information about the friend’s identity, but it is not actually necessary for the sentence to make sense in context. Again, both constructions are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. Capitalize and spell out titles when they follow a name in a sentence if the word "the" does not precede the title. The two women also edited and published a newspaper, the Revolution, from 1868 to 1870. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. In this case, however, a comma is necessary to set off the clause begun by who. between elements (including before and and or) in a series of three or more items.. the height, width, or depth; in a study by Spencer, Girard, and Singh (2010) to set off a nonessential or nonrestrictive clause, that is, a clause that embellishes a sentence but if removed would leave the grammatical structure and meaning of the sentence intact. Thanks for your vote! Incorrect: Kenneth Griffey Jr. could have broken Maris' record. The commais used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. Rules for numbers: In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right. "The correct way to use commas with names and titles." So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did. Include commas on both sides of the title. When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover that there was enough space in the yard for a garden.There was just one problem – I’d never actually planted one. There was just one problem – I’d never actually planted one. Active 3 years, 7 months ago. Write to us your doubts and queries through comments. In addition, the most logical implication is also that Stanton was one of Susan B. Anthony’s acquaintances rather than her only acquaintance. The common practice for add-ons to names, such as Junior and Senior, have changed in American English in recent years. Defer to the individuals personal preference regarding proper first name and inclusion of middle initials (e.g., Joseph P. Smith or Joe Smith) Do not use courtesy titles … No commas around a name or title indicate that it is essential to the meaning of a sentence – the sentence will, Commas around a name or title indicate that it is NOT essential to the meaning of a sentence  – the sentence, In the mid-nineteenth century, Susan B. Anthony and her acquaintance, Anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for, female suffrage as well as for the abolition of slavery. Many people learn that a comma should be placed before a name or title, but that is not entirely true. Comma Use. I’ve always been interested in gardening, but until recently, I didn’t have room for flowers or plants. Should there be a semicolon after the third name and title? Don't use these in writing before people's names, as a rule. Do you put commas around "Susan?" 3. When I moved into a new house last summer, however, I was thrilled to discover, that there was enough space in the yard for a garden.There was just one problem – I’d, never actually planted one. While a comma after the title may be correct on rare occasions (which don’t concern us here), a comma only before a name or title is wrong. Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing -- and it's FREE! It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. Web. They serve amazing sushi. Finally, let’s consider an instance in which only the comma after the name is necessary: I’ve always been interested in gardening, but until recently, I didn’t have room for flowers or plants. 2. Don’t use a comma (,) between the job and the name. "My wife Susan and I founded our company in 2012." Let’s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word (s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. You can also substitute a one-word title such as Mr. or Ms.; would you ever write “Ms., Susan Brown is on vacation”? Who really benefits from test-optional policies. Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. It all depends on the context. It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title. Use commas wherever necessary to … Note: This is the full explanation of this rule. At the MLA, we never insert a period after a title ending in a question mark or exclamation point, but we insert a comma if doing so makes a sentence easier to read—for example, when such a title is one item in a series or when the title is contained in a nonrestrictive clause: But when possible, we prefer to reword: Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. Confusing. Using commas around names that specify relationship. Active 1 year, 8 months ago. Not all faculty members hold a doctoral degree, and not all hold the rank of full professor. Because the speaker has only one daughter, including the name provides no additional information on who they are speaking about. Let’s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web! The two women also edited and, or plants. Luckily, that friend, Jane, agreed to come over the next day. Here, the lack of a comma before the name indicates that it is essential – it clarifies who Jane is so that the mention of her name in the following sentence make sense. Separation of two complete sentences: We went to the movies, and then we went out to … So I called my. Names and titles: addressing people - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. If you are not sure whether commas should be placed around a name or title, try crossing the name/title out and reading the sentence in context without it. STANDS4 LLC, 2020. Hope you liked the article. Kym Utah The case 3 example is wrong. In addition, the mention of the friend in the next-to-last sentence (So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did) makes it clear that the writer is talking about one specific person. Anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for female suffrage as well as for the abolition of slavery. This page explains when to use commas in lists, has lots of examples, and includes an interactive exercise. Hot Network Questions GOTO (etc) to a non-existent line? If you remain unable to determine whether a title is a formal title or an occupational description, use a comma construction and set the title in lowercase apart from the individual’s name. “You look after each other, okay, children? No, you wouldn't use a comma since the title is being treated as part of his name. There was just one problem – I’d, never actually planted one. A thousand splendid suns, authored by Khaled Hosseini, is a fantastic novel. (Note that each title is set off by commas.) Then it starts to look like three people founded the company: My wife, Susan, and me. According to Rule 7 of Commas: “Commas are no longer required around Jr. and Sr.” Therefore, if there are no commas between names and Jr. or any other titles, then you do not need to separate the names with semicolons.. For example: The attendees included John Doe, Jane Doe, Sam Sunny Jr., and Dolores Chang. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations. Commas are used to separate list items. Girl, have you been to Japon? One use for commas is to separate a person’s name from his or her title. The test is trying to remove the name that follows. Here, the name Elizabeth Cady Stanton is essential because the reference to Stanton in the following sentence does not make sense otherwise. Would this be correct? In the second example, we use the commas to set off Jane as, effectively, a nonrestrictive clause. Direct address: Thanks for all your help, John. Could you help me, ma'am? Do you need a comma after Director? . I remember a comma rule that clarifies if you would only have one wife who is Susan or multiple wives of which Susan is one, but can't remember. Or better yet, drop the 'The' too. Similarly, use commas to enclose degrees or titles used with names. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 3 months ago. It should read 'The distinguished scientist Mr Stephen, of AKL University, will be addressing the crowd tomorrow.' With three list items, use a comma between the list items and before the 'and' (or whatever conjunction) if it's your local convention. Incorrect: My friend, Jane has a lot more gardening experience than I do. I am wondering whether it's necessary to use commas in the sentences below when addressing or introducing someone: “You look after each other, okay children?" Grammar.com. Rules for titles: If a title follows a name, separate the title from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. To shift between the main discourse and a quotation, Litt.D Cady Stanton is essential because the speaker has one. Logical meaning etc ) to a non-existent line: Let ’ s mother Lula examples, and letter after! On your keyboard, all but nine can be used in numbers,,...: I beg your pardon, ma'am keyboard, all but nine can be used around by an... 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