Comas

Question

Recently I asked EnglishForward.com if a comma should be placed before a name at the end of a sentence. The answer was, "Yes". In the following sentence, the word "Child" refers to specific "Child" (very similar to a given name); is this punctuated as if it were a name? Would this be the same if the Children are plural (more than one Child, thus "Children"?)

Should the sentence read:

"No longer hear your own voice, but rather listen for me to call you Child (Children)."

OR
(with a coma between "you" and "Child"?)
"No longer hear your own voice, but rather listen for me to call you, Child (Children)."

Thank you again for your help, Chris

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hi Chris;

Let's look at these two:

1. No longer hear your own voice, but rather listen for me to call you, Child.
2. No longer hear your own voice, but rather listen for me to call you Child.

Both sentences are valid, but they mean different things. The verb "call" has two different meanings.

In #1, I am addressing a person as "Child". For example, a parent might say:

"Child, listen when I speak to you."
"Bobby, listen when I speak to you."
I am saying "Child, listen for me to call you." Calling someone in this case means to say to them "Come over here."

In #2, the situation is different. Calling a person does not mean "Come over here", but giving them a name.

Wait and listen until I name you "Child".

Anonymous · Answer

Dear AlpheccaStars, thank you for all your help! I was writing the #1 example: "In #1, I am addressing a person as "Child". For example, a parent might say:
"Child, listen when I speak to you."
"Bobby, listen when I speak to you."
Thank you again, Chris

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