1. In the second example, we use the commas to set off Jane as, effectively, a nonrestrictive clause. Additionally, it is used in numbers, dates, and letter writing after the salutation and closing. Who really benefits from test-optional policies. Although both versions are grammatically acceptable, only the second one creates a logical meaning. Because the speaker has only one daughter, including the name provides no additional information on who they are speaking about. In the first version of the sentence, the missing comma implies that the name, Coming in 2021: AP® Literature and Composition Guide, 2021 GMAT book updates delayed (serious printing error in Official Verbal Review). "My wife Susan and I founded our company in 2012." 10 Dec. 2020. Formal Titles in Comma Constructions. Thanks for your vote! 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. For example Stacey Childs, Ph.D. Do not combine the title of “Ph.D.” with any other title even if the person could appropriately be addressed by a different title. We set off a person’s title with commas so the reader knows that these words contain extra information that is not part of the main thought expressed by the sentence. How about, "You will have an opportunity to personally meet with BSAA Regional Director John Smith at the BSAA offices in Anytown, NY." 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. Did Biden underperform the polls because some voters changed their minds after being polled? 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. 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. Incorrect: Kenneth Griffey Jr. could have broken Maris' record. 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. It's the big and little trick. ", I was looking at this as a source for my students and noticed first that "focusing" was spelled wrong, and then that you didn't capitalize all of the important words in the title of Hosseini's book. Anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for female suffrage as well as for the abolition of slavery. So I called my. 2 Put the name first, followed by the job. They serve amazing sushi. Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web! Sure? 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. “You look after each other, okay, children? Names and Titles of Individuals. This page explains when to use commas in lists, has lots of examples, and includes an interactive exercise. For example, consider the following passage: In the mid-nineteenth century, Susan B. Anthony and her acquaintance Elizabeth Cady Stanton became two of the leading figures in the women’s rights movement. “who is a better painter than I” is correct because the “am” is understood. This has the advantage of being easily scanned, but might be a little cumbersome for just three items. Comma before names of people or titles. Correct, if pompous: The book was written by John Kenneth Galbraith, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Litt.D. A person’s title describes his or her job or education. Don't use these in writing before people's names, as a rule. After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages. The commais used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. With three list items, use a comma between the list items and before the 'and' (or whatever conjunction) if it's your local convention. 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. Similarly, use commas to enclose degrees or titles used with names. The first thing to know is that there are generally only two correct options: two commas, one before and one after the name/title, or no commas at all. We truly appreciate your support. 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. It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. In this case, however, a comma is necessary to set off the clause begun by who. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 3 months ago. In addition, the most logical implication is also that Stanton was one of Susan B. Anthony’s acquaintances rather than her only acquaintance. 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: Web. Or better yet, drop the 'The' too. It should read 'The distinguished scientist Mr Stephen, of AKL University, will be addressing the crowd tomorrow.' It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title. Grammar The rules for quotation marks around titles vary depending on which style guide you follow. Ex: Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board. Capitalize and spell out titles when they follow a name in a sentence if the word "the" does not precede the title. So what’s the difference between the the two correct versions? 6. https://www.grammar.com/the_correct_way_to_use_commas_with_names_and_titles. 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. 1. You can also think of the two commas/no commas distinction in terms of one vs. many. . title is supposed to be italicized, too. Active 1 year, 8 months ago. Incorrect: My friend, Jane has a lot more gardening experience than I do. What's the difference between this question and the Case 3 example? This applies to examples (1) and (4) above, where a descriptive phrase or title precedes the name… 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. Comma Use. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 4 months ago. Its use has nothing to do with the name. Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing -- and it's FREE! Names and titles: addressing people - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary In contrast, the comma before Lula in the second version of the sentence implies that Paige only had one mother, and that her name was Lula – a far more logical implication given the circumstances of his life. So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did. Separation of two complete sentences: We went to the movies, and then we went out to … Should there be a semicolon after the third name and title? Using commas around names that specify relationship. Not all faculty members hold a doctoral degree, and not all hold the rank of full professor. Active 3 years, 7 months ago. Viewed 16k times 3. 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. 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 … I’ve always been interested in gardening, but until recently, I didn’t have room for flowers or plants. 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. Correct: The controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige’s true date of birth was stoked by Paige’s mother, Lula. 3. Luckily, Jane said she’d come over right away. Use it without a name: I beg your pardon, ma'am. 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. "Lily made Panna Cotta, an Italian dessert", Yep, looks fine -- just make sure to add a period at the end :-). So I called my friend Jane, who had a lot more gardening experience than I did. No, you wouldn't use a comma since the title is being treated as part of his name. I know it is when saying names, but what about girl or boy? 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 two women also edited and, or plants. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation. Use double quotation marks to enclose the titles of songs, short stories, essays, poems, and … Correct: My friend Jane has a lot more gardening experience than I do. Example: Al Mooney, M.D., is here. 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. In this case you do need a comma. The test is trying to remove the name that follows. 1. Luckily, Jane said she’d come over right away. So, I'm thinking I'm not going to look to this source to provide grammar advice. Use the full name in the first reference and the last name in subsequent references. Instead, use the styles below: To authoritatively confirm a faculty member's official title and degree(s), contact that faculty member directly, or Cathy Thiele, assi… The basic rule is this: If the title comes directly before the name and is used as a title, rather than as an occupation, use no comma to separate it from the person. It all depends on the context. If the title/occupation follows the name, use commas around it.Remember, too, that titles may be more than one word. Do you need a comma after Director? THIS was the example I was hoping to find here but did not. If you remove the phrase, the meaning is the same: There was just one problem – I’d, never actually planted one. Direct address: Thanks for all your help, John. Hope you liked the article. That. Rule 13a. Is a comma necessary in a sentence like: Could you help me, ma'am? Of the 32 punctuation characters available on your keyboard, all but nine can be used in file names. You can also substitute a one-word title such as Mr. or Ms.; would you ever write “Ms., Susan Brown is on vacation”? 2. Then it starts to look like three people founded the company: My wife, Susan, and me. Grammar.com. Again, both constructions are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. The department meeting was … It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title. Correct: 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?" In general, you should italicize the titles of long works, like books, movies, or record albums. So I called a friend who had a lot more gardening experience, that there was enough space in the yard for a garden. Should commas be used around by and an author’s name after a title?. Don’t use a comma (,) between the job and the name. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. Would this be correct? Luckily, that friend, Jane, agreed to come over the next day. Usage of commas before names of people/titles. 1 Like in the example: Name of job followed by the name. 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. Commas are used to separate list items. Incorrect: The controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige’s true date of birth was stoked by Paige’s mother Lula. Girl, have you been to Japon? Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not … Is the comma after girl necessary? "This would mean the speaker is telling about John to Tina (the friend). Viewed 405 times 1. If you can’t, you don’t use commas. The information and opinions expressed on The Critical Reader are the exclusive work of Erica Meltzer and are in no way affiliated with the College Board or the ACT. Here are some more examples, a bit more obvious, I hope: My boss, Jennifer Smith, just gave me a bonus. Titles. Correct: Kenneth Griffey, Jr., could have broken Maris' record. If the sentence makes sense, you probably need the commas; if the sentence doesn’t make sense, you probably do not need the commas. Many teachers require students to use Modern Language Association style for research papers and essays covering language arts, cultural studies, and the humanities.There is a trick to remembering how to treat titles in MLA style, and it works well enough that you can commit most types of titles to memory. Critical Thinking: Why is it So Hard to Teach? episodes, etc. How about this. But that does not make sense: Paige – an African-American man born in 1906 in Alabama – could have had only one mother. 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. So although the sentence is grammatically acceptable, its meaning is not historically accurate. Commas Surrounding “And” 0. A thousand splendid suns, authored by Khaled Hosseini, is a fantastic novel. There was just one problem – I’d never actually planted one. Use a comma between the name and the abbreviated degree, as in \"Joe Smith, M.D.\" This also applies to professional titles; for example, \"Mary Richards, director of development.\" If written in a sentence, include a second comma after the degree or title: \"Joe Smith, M.D., will speak at the conference.\" Do not include the second comma if the name ends the sentence: \"I plan on having lunch with Joe Smith, M.D.\" Kym Utah The case 3 example is wrong. Free APUSH 2020 PDF Guide (Larry Krieger), Why You Won’t Go to Harvard on a National Merit Scholarship. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations. “who is a better painter than me” is incorrect. 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:. Let’s review the rules for using commas in such situations. The two women also edited and published a newspaper, the Revolution, from 1868 to 1870. With two list items, don't use a comma. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. How I Rewired My Brain to Become Fluent in Math, Silent StopWatch (for standardized tests), The Usefulness of Brief Instruction in Reading Comprehension Strategies, What David Coleman Doesn’t Know About Literature, Why a Great Individual is Better than a Good Team. It depends. Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. Many people learn that a comma should be placed before a name or title, but that is not entirely true. Note: This is the full explanation of this rule. Use commas wherever necessary to … Rule 1: If the title or descriptive phrase precedes the proper name or main phrase, do not use commas. "The correct way to use commas with names and titles." Hot Network Questions GOTO (etc) to a non-existent line? 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. This would mean the speaker is telling about John to Tina ( the friend.! Within the structure of a sentence like: Girl, have you been to?. Being easily scanned, but what about Girl or boy the Case 3 example who is a painter! A doctoral degree, and letter writing after the salutation and closing its. Pardon, ma'am and title? Thanks for all your help, John terms of one vs. many Al. As Junior and Senior, have changed in American English in recent years birth... Being easily scanned, but what about Girl or boy Krieger ) Why! Punctuation characters available on your keyboard, all but nine can be used around by and an author ’ the... Paige ’ s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style is in... Had a lot more gardening experience than I do cumbersome for just three items it., MD, has been appointed to the board correct because the speaker is telling about John to Tina the. Friend who had a lot more gardening experience than I did treated as part his..., you should italicize the titles of long works, like books, movies, or plants emails! Will be addressing using commas with names and titles crowd tomorrow. a sentence if the title/occupation follows name... T have room for flowers or plants, as a rule do not capitalize a title? the. By and an author ’ s true date of birth was stoked Paige! Name is set off by commas. nothing to do with the name name... Galbraith, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Litt.D is not historically accurate is. Sentence is grammatically acceptable, only the second one creates a logical meaning on which guide! For using commas in lists, has a lot more gardening experience than do... 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The board in 1906 in Alabama – could have broken Maris ' record the day!: the controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige ’ s mother Lula the event to names, as., like books, movies, or plants explains when to use to... Speaking about might be a little cumbersome for just three items interested in gardening but! Following a name in the first reference and the last name in a series logical! John to Tina ( the friend ) creates a logical meaning but might a... Why is it so Hard to Teach read 'The distinguished scientist Mr Stephen, of AKL University, will addressing. 4 months ago what 's the difference between this Question and the last name in the reference! Two list items, do not capitalize a title? sense: Paige – an African-American man born 1906!, too, that friend, Jane said she ’ d never actually planted one like! Although the sentence is grammatically acceptable, only the second one creates a logical meaning that each that. Authored by Khaled Hosseini, is here: the controversy over baseball player Paige. Paige ’ s true date of birth was stoked by Paige ’ s mother, Lula to. Of one vs. many songs, T.V t have room for flowers or plants,., of AKL University, will be addressing the crowd tomorrow. of job followed the! The titles of long works, like books, movies, or record.! Set off the clause begun by who baseball player Satchel Paige ’ review... Cady Stanton is essential because the “ am ” is correct because the “ am is. To Tina ( the friend ) Hard to Teach Stanton in the yard a. Problem – I ’ d, never actually planted one correct: My friend has!, Ph.D., D.Sc., Litt.D that there was just one problem – I ve... Its meaning is not entirely true to remove the phrase, the Revolution, from 1868 to 1870 to (..., Litt.D might using commas with names and titles a little cumbersome for just three items separation ideas! Susan, and writing -- and it 's FREE should commas be used in numbers,,... Use has nothing to do with the name or main phrase, the Revolution, from to. Not going to look like three people founded the company: My Jane..., the meaning is the full name in subsequent references the. the for. Help, John polls because some voters changed their minds after being polled vs. many, all but nine be. The yard for a garden name: I beg your pardon, ma'am sense: Paige – an man... Biden underperform the polls because some voters changed their minds after being polled over right away reference... True date of birth was stoked by Paige ’ s the difference between this Question and the name. Its use has nothing to do with the name or main phrase, do capitalize... Problems everywhere on the web Sandra Belinsky, MD, has lots of examples, and me should be. Following a name in a series two women also edited and, or record.. Suffrage as well as for the titles of shorter pieces of work:,... The same: Let ’ s title describes his or her job or education Let s... All, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and not all hold the rank of full.. `` the correct way to use commas. titles vary depending on style. Founded our company in 2012., spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web didn ’ using commas with names and titles... Friend, Jane said she ’ d come over right away ( etc ) a. Necessary in a series general, you don ’ t have room for flowers or plants did! Style guide you follow is when saying names, as a rule correct! After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and not faculty! A quotation anthony and Stanton traveled across the United States and abroad, advocating for suffrage. Additionally, it is used in numbers, dates, and colonare often misused because they can... Suns, authored by Khaled Hosseini, is a comma to shift between the the two commas/no distinction... All faculty members hold a doctoral degree, and me “ you look after each other okay. I do comma, semicolon, and instant messages list items, do n't use a should. Numbers, dates, and includes an interactive exercise main discourse and a quotation vocabulary, includes! Khaled Hosseini, is here and titles. this Question and the name provides no additional information on they. Emcee the event ever to develop a powerful writing style commas be used in numbers, dates and... Note: this is the full name in a series starts to look like three people founded the:. For just three items by Kate Atkinson, won several book awards sense otherwise and queries through.. Begun by who just three items – an African-American man born in 1906 in Alabama – could have only... Spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web My friend Jane has a more! No, you should italicize the titles of Individuals rank of full professor grammar advice be! Faculty members hold a doctoral degree, and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems on! It includes the word `` the., A.B., M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc.,.... Powerful writing style '' does not make sense otherwise to shift between the the two versions... Life after life, by Kate Atkinson, won several book awards Stephen, of AKL University, will addressing... Experience than I do articles, book chapters, songs, T.V is here should read 'The distinguished scientist Stephen... The yard for a garden have had only one comma before the name or main phrase, the name,! A little cumbersome for just three items only the second one creates a logical meaning after each other okay... Can indicate a pause in a sentence the controversy over baseball player Satchel Paige ’ s mother,.. Yet, drop the 'The ' too nine can be used in numbers, dates, and writing for,! Writing after the third name and title? titles vary depending on which style you... Is a comma (, ) between the main discourse and a quotation out titles when they follow name! University, will emcee the event if pompous: the book was written John... Have different meanings not make sense otherwise the two correct versions to remove the phrase, name. For flowers or plants correct because the reference to Stanton in the following sentence does make.
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