The cartoon humorously illustrates the importance of properly punctuating a sentence that involves direct address—that is, when writing directly to someone. The Standard-English convention is to place a comma after the introductory word or phrase.
Need some examples, friend? Here you go, gentle reader. (Um, notice the two examples there?)
Here are a few more:
- “Hello, John!”
- “Thanks, Maria.”
- “How are you, Pete?”
- “Way to go, Andrea!”
- “Give me a break, buster!”
- “You’re confusing me, Dean.”
Don’t leave out those poor, underemployed commas. Let them serve their intended purpose.
And let’s not forget these:
- “Happy birthday, Tori!”
- “Merry Christmas, Lou!”
- “¡Feliz Navidad, Luis!”
- “Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!”
It’s almost time for lunch. Let’s eat, Grandma!
