{"id":17808,"date":"2022-03-18T12:52:18","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T12:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?p=17808"},"modified":"2023-03-19T12:49:48","modified_gmt":"2023-03-19T12:49:48","slug":"comma-before-a-vocative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-a-vocative\/","title":{"rendered":"Comma Before a Vocative \u2014 Punctuation Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:150%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}<\/style><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using commas with the vocative case is one of the first things we learn at school when it comes to writing classes. That&rsquo;s how important these types of commas are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But why not? Just like periods or full stops, commas are actually some of the hardest punctuation marks to master &ndash; even among adults.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get rid of this confusion, this post tackles when exactly we should use a comma before a vocative expression in detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we get deeper into the core, let&rsquo;s start with a quick answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>When should we put a comma before a vocative?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>A comma should come before the vocative expression when it is used at the end or middle of a sentence, as well as in casual email salutations like &ldquo;hi&rdquo; and &ldquo;hello&rdquo; (but not &ldquo;dear&rdquo;). By default, a vocative comma should always come before people&rsquo;s names, name titles, and terms of endearment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Knowing vocative commas and vocative expressions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The advent of technology has paved the way to make communication more instant. This event has somehow influenced people&rsquo;s leniency towards using &ldquo;proper&rdquo; punctuation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Albeit a bit technical at the surface, a &ldquo;vocative comma&rdquo; is simply the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-names\/\"><b>comma used before or after names (direct address)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mostly in the formal writing context.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term &ldquo;vocative&rdquo; is a grammatical concept referring to the specific case of using nouns as direct receivers or addressees of a writer or speaker&rsquo;s message.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mimicking how actual oral speech works, using &ldquo;vocative expressions&rdquo; in writing allows us to &ldquo;talk to&rdquo; the receiver of our message directly as opposed to &ldquo;talking about&rdquo; them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say, for instance, you are texting your mom, and you want to use the word &ldquo;mom&rdquo; in your message because you want to call her out directly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will type something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you send me the grocery list, <\/span><\/i><b><i>mom<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the example above, the word &ldquo;mom&rdquo; is your direct addressee&rsquo;s name, which is also known as a vocative expression in language studies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vocative expressions may also come as a form of English<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/12097161\/Hello_sweetie_pie_a_sociolinguistic_analysis_of_terms_of_endearment_in_a_Ghanaian_university\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>terms of endearment<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like &ldquo;buddy&rdquo; or &ldquo;bestie&rdquo; for friends, &ldquo;honey&rdquo; or &ldquo;sweetie&rdquo; for children, and even name titles like &ldquo;ma&rsquo;am&rdquo; or &ldquo;sir.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think about it, vocatives are quite special because they help you express your relationship with other people through language.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, using vocative expressions or calling people directly with their names helps us convey and build rapport or intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Comma placement before a vocative in detail<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we understand how simple vocatives are, knowing when and why we should place a comma before them should also be as easy as pie.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comma-related guidelines are heavily dependent on many aspects of grammar and style, as commas actually exist for making language more organized and dramatic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, in case you need to re-learn the basics about commas, you may also quickly go through our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-cheat-sheet\/\"><b>comma cheat sheet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to familiarize some things that you may have already forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next sections discuss the specific conditions that guide the necessary, incorrect, and optional <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-rules\/\" title=\"comma placement\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">comma placement<\/a> before a vocative word or phrase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>The mandatory comma placement before a vocative expression<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few conditions that guide the necessary comma placement before a vocative, but<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would practically need one every single time you&rsquo;re using the vocative case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make this clearer, here are these specific conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>When the vocative expression comes at the end of the sentence<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vocative comma should come before a vocative expression when the latter comes at the end of the sentence, just like in the example given early on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although people&rsquo;s names, which are proper nouns, are the best examples for vocative expressions, they are not necessarily limited to such kinds of words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as you are using a word in the vocative or &ldquo;direct message receiver&rdquo; case, you would always need a comma before it&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vocative comma should come before the word &ldquo;everyone&rdquo; &ndash; a pronoun that bears the meaning &ldquo;all&rdquo; &ndash; in the next example as the sentence is intended directly to the audience:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good morning, everyone!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you for your time, everyone!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a great day ahead, everyone!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The end-sentence placement of a vocative expression is also commonly observed in questions, like the next examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you fix this, Rob?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you okay, sweetie?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you know where the nearest station is, sir?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>When the vocative expression comes in the middle of the sentence<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on the guidelines above, we can assume that a pre-comma is also needed when a vocative expression comes in the middle of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, in situations like this, you should also use another comma immediately after the vocative expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doing so signals your readers that you are directly talking to them and not just talking about them, which is the very essence of using vocative commas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trust me, dear, unless you want to regret your decision.<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I can help you, Tom, but I don&rsquo;t think I can help your friend.<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Would you be kind enough, ma&rsquo;am, to explain your situation again?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>When the vocative expression is used in a salutation or greeting<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The third condition in which you would need a comma before a vocative expression is when you write salutations or greetings in emails and letters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vocative comma in email salutations is sometimes tricky to use, though, because we use adjectives like &ldquo;dear&rdquo; or &ldquo;dearest&rdquo; most of the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that the comma should come after the name of the person if and when you are using adjectives like &ldquo;dear&rdquo; or &ldquo;dearest.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vocative pre-comma is only used in more casual salutations like the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hi, Sylvia.<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hello, Suzy!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greetings to you, Sam!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might also want to learn more details on<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-salutations\/\"><b>comma usage after salutations<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like &ldquo;hi,&rdquo; &ldquo;hello,&rdquo; and &ldquo;dear&rdquo; to make your correspondence more professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17820\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Comma Before a Vocative\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-735x1103.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-223x335.jpeg 223w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-231x347.jpeg 231w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-347x520.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-427x640.jpeg 427w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-512x768.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-640x960.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-720x1080.jpeg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17820 eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%201500'%3E%3Crect%20width='1000'%20height='1500'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Comma Before a Vocative\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-735x1103.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-223x335.jpeg 223w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-231x347.jpeg 231w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-347x520.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-427x640.jpeg 427w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-512x768.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-640x960.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Comma-Before-a-Vocative-1-720x1080.jpeg 720w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><b>The incorrect comma placement before a vocative expression<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If certain situations guide the correct and therefore recommended comma placement, there are also conditions where the pre-comma becomes incorrect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously enough, you cannot use a comma before a vocative expression if it is used to begin your sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, more particularly, you should not use a comma in email and letter salutations if you are using adjectives like &ldquo;dear&rdquo; and &ldquo;dearest.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>When the vocative expression comes with adjectives in salutations<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In formal correspondence, being able to know when to use punctuation marks appropriately shows communicative competence and professionalism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, incorrectly placed commas could make us look like ineffective and unprofessional communicators, which is harmful to business relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common punctuation is placing a comma before an addressee&rsquo;s name in an email greeting or salutation when they are preceded with adjectives like &ldquo;dear&rdquo; or &ldquo;dearest.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(correct) Dear Mr. Bradford,<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(incorrect) Dear, Mr. Bradford,<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(correct) Dearest Helen,<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(incorrect) Dearest, Helen<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, remember never to use a comma before the name of the email or letter receiver when you are using adjectives before them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>The optional comma placement before a vocative<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may have observed, language is dynamic and people are creative. Hence, we can conveniently make use of language as long as &ldquo;meaning&rdquo; is not sacrificed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, as long as the context allows you and your message receiver to communicate without serious problems, you may meanwhile choose to drop your comma.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>When the context of the conversation is rather casual<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In casual conversations, particularly on direct messaging platforms, you and your message receiver mutually and readily understand the context or situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cases like this, no one will actually sanction you or the other person for not placing a comma before a vocative expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially in overly informal conversations with your &ldquo;intimates&rdquo; like friends, family members, and close colleagues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In line with this specific argument only, you don&rsquo;t have to be too hard on yourself in terms of meticulously placing the vocative comma.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(recommended) Wassup, buddy?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(optional) Wassup buddy?<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(recommended) Hey, Emma!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-grey\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(optional) Hey Emma!<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions on &ldquo;Comma Before a Vocative&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How do you use a vocative word?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vocative word or a direct address is used for conveying the message directly to the message receiver, just like the word &ldquo;dad&rdquo; in this sentence: Are you at home, dad?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Do I need a comma after &ldquo;hi&rdquo; before a name?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In formal writing contexts, a comma is needed after &ldquo;hi&rdquo; before a name such as in email messaging. Most of the time, though, people drop this comma in casual conversations with friends and family members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What&rsquo;s the difference between an Oxford comma and a vocative comma?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Oxford or serial comma is the last comma in a list of more than two words or phrases; this particularly comes before the conjunctions &ldquo;and&rdquo; and &ldquo;or.&rdquo; Meanwhile, a vocative comma is a comma used before or after (as well as on both sides) names, name titles, and terms of endearment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only thing that this post wants to emphasize is that commas are important symbols in writing because they make a language more &ldquo;orderly&rdquo; and &ldquo;on point.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, never forget to place commas correctly before a vocative expression especially in formal writing scenarios to make communication more precise and ambiguity-free.<\/span><br>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How do you use a vocative word?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A vocative word or a direct address is used for conveying the message directly to the message receiver, just like the word &ldquo;dad&rdquo; in this sentence: Are you at home, dad?\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Do I need a comma after &ldquo;hi&rdquo; before a name?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"In formal writing contexts, a comma is needed after &ldquo;hi&rdquo; before a name such as in email messaging. Most of the time, though, people drop this comma in casual conversations with friends and family members.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What&rsquo;s the difference between an Oxford comma and a vocative comma?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"An Oxford or serial comma is the last comma in a list of more than two words or phrases; this particularly comes before the conjunctions &ldquo;and&rdquo; and &ldquo;or.&rdquo; Meanwhile, a vocative comma is a comma used before or after (as well as on both sides) names, name titles, and terms of endearment.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><br>\n<!--FAQPage Code Generated by https:\/\/saijogeorge.com\/json-ld-schema-generator\/faq\/--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Using commas with the vocative case is one of the first things we learn at school when it comes to writing classes. That&rsquo;s how important these types of commas are. But why not? Just like periods or full stops, commas are actually some of the hardest punctuation marks to master &ndash; even among adults. To &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17818,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"_convertkit_action_broadcast_export":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1119,35,1116],"tags":[1151],"class_list":["post-17808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comma-rules","category-english","category-grammar","tag-comma-before"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17808"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17808\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24170,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17808\/revisions\/24170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}