Let’s Eat Grandma!
I had planned to title this blog and newsletter “The Comma of Direct Address.” But “Let’s Eat Grandma!” is so much more inviting. Thanks to both Jeff and Eric for this topic – and the frighteningly identical example.
Note that almost every online source about the comma of direct address uses this example. I wonder why it’s always poor Grandma …
(By the way, this is a stock photo, so no grandmas have been harmed in the writing of this blog and newsletter.)
Once again, the rule about the comma of direct address is basic: If you are writing or speaking to someone or a group of someones by name, add a comma before or after the name, depending on how you are addressing that person or persons. For example:
Grandma, please come to the store with me.
Let’s eat, Grandma!
I’m not sure, Grandma and Grandpa, if you really want to do that.
As the words in this blog title versus those in the second example show, omitting the comma could be deadly.
The late Peter Schickele (aka P.D.Q. Bach) embraced the comical nature of a misused comma of direct address in his lovely four-part choir piece for Christmas titled “Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John.” The first line clearly delineates the meaning of the words: It is asking Uncle John to throw the yule log on (presumably, the fire). The melody of the second line, however, makes a musical break after the word “log.” Thus, the listeners hear this: “Throw the Yule log / On Uncle John.” Like Grandma, Uncle John may not survive the missing comma. Find a YouTube video of a choir singing this piece; it really is fun.
One more example: “Here’s the gift I bought Sandra.” Or, “Here’s the gift I bought, Sandra.” They mean very different things.
Along similar lines, what about greetings? In dialogue in a manuscript, you may write or read a character saying these things, with the comma of direct address:
Hi, Tomas.
Hello, Dad.
Hey, Buddy.
However, in casual e-mails, the latest common consensus is to omit the comma. Grammar purists may argue, but I think omitting the comma is clear enough:
Hi Tomas:
Hello Dad:
Hey Buddy:
Friends, just don’t ever add a comma after “Dear” in an e-mail greeting. The word “dear” serves as an adjective in this case. Thanks, Fran, for the “hi” question. And, readers, do you realize that the first, third, and fourth sentences in this paragraph use the comma of direct address?
On the writing front, the editing of Nathan and Sophia’s story is moving along. If you know any lawyers who might like to check my content on Nathan’s paralegal work, please let me know.
I do love to edit, but I’m also totally enjoying writing these blogs. Please share this with any of your grammar-nerd friends, like me, who might be interested. And sign up at the bottom of my home page to get this blog as a monthly newsletter.