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Calamansi Posted 17 years ago
I've noticed that when greeting someone in a sentence, a comma often comes before the name.
Example: Hello, Grace.
Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
Example: Hello, Grace, how have you been?
When greeting someone at the start of a letter to someone I've noticed that there is no comma before the name. Why is that?
Example: Dear Bob,
Does this rule apply to just "Dear" or any other salutation?
Example: Hey Bob,
I anyone could expound on the rules of comma use for greetings and salutations it would be wonderful.
Thank you for your help!
Grammar
Greetings and salutations
I've noticed that when greeting someone in a sentence, a comma often comes before the name.
Example: Hello, Grace.
Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
Example: Hello, Grace, how have you been?
When greeting someone at the start of a letter to someone I've noticed that there is no comma before the name. Why is that?
Example: Dear Bob,
Does this rule apply to just "Dear" or any other salutation?
Example: Hey Bob,
I anyone could expound on the rules of comma use for greetings and salutations it would be wonderful.
Thank you for your help!
Top answer
I've noticed that when greeting someone in a sentence, a comma often comes before the name. Example: Hello, Grace. Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
- I've noticed that when greeting someone in a sentence, a comma often comes before the name.
- Example: Hello, Grace.
- Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
- Example: Hello, Grace, how have you been?
- Yes.
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8 Answers
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I've noticed that when greeting someone in a sentence, a comma often comes before the name.
Example: Hello, Grace.
Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
Example: Hello, Grace, how have you been? Yes.
When greeting someone at the start of a letter to someone I've noticed that th
Example: Hello, Grace.
Should a comma come after the name as well if the sentence continues on?
Example: Hello, Grace, how have you been? Yes.
When greeting someone at the start of a letter to someone I've noticed that th
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Hello, Cool Breeze,
Let me date myself by using a comma both after the salutation of "Hello" and your username, Cool Breeze. I was taught that a comma was to be used after both. And also after the name of a state when it is used in a sentence and the sentence continues, i.e.: She was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city known for its German heritage. I also was taught tha
Let me date myself by using a comma both after the salutation of "Hello" and your username, Cool Breeze. I was taught that a comma was to be used after both. And also after the name of a state when it is used in a sentence and the sentence continues, i.e.: She was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city known for its German heritage. I also was taught tha
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AnonymousI am from the time when all teachers came to school in what now would be considered formal attire.So am I.
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Hi,
Here are a few more thoughts on this topic.
In the formulaic greeting 'Dear Bob', I see 'dear' as an adjective describing Bob. You can see this a bit more clearly if you consider the less common form of 'My dear Bob'. You wouldn't normally use a comma to separate an adjective from a noun.
'Hello Grace' is a different situation. 'Hello' is not an adjective. It's a
Here are a few more thoughts on this topic.
In the formulaic greeting 'Dear Bob', I see 'dear' as an adjective describing Bob. You can see this a bit more clearly if you consider the less common form of 'My dear Bob'. You wouldn't normally use a comma to separate an adjective from a noun.
'Hello Grace' is a different situation. 'Hello' is not an adjective. It's a
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Clive, I say you are absolutely correct!! "Dear" is an adjective, a lone adjective (this no comma) that describes "Bob". This is the most classic and most technically accurate description of a greeting, whether formal or informal. To wit:
Dearest Bob ... My dear Bob ... My dearest darling Bob
Dearest Bob ... My dear Bob ... My dearest darling Bob
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It was me who made the anonymous reply to Clive, but then I joined this site so my post won't be anonymous anymore 
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PS: For simplicity, I suggest that "Hello" would follow the logic of "Dear", although not for technical reasons. To explain: Why use a comma to separate a very short 2-word phrase? First it increases awkwardness a tiny bit, and second, when we speak it, we don't pause between those two words. Some general rules for commas are (a) to use them for clarity in long sentences, or (b) to separate a
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Hi,
I strongly support the idea of considering a comma as simply marking a place where you would naturally pause briefly. Pauses came before commas, because speaking came before writing!
Yet a lot of people seem to discuss commas as if they have absolutely no connection to pauses at all.
I grant, of course, that it is often hard for English learners
I strongly support the idea of considering a comma as simply marking a place where you would naturally pause briefly. Pauses came before commas, because speaking came before writing!
Yet a lot of people seem to discuss commas as if they have absolutely no connection to pauses at all.
I grant, of course, that it is often hard for English learners
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