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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Vocative comma + interjection

What's the correct way to punctuate a sentence with both a name used in the vocative and an interjection? Couple examples:

That's interesting, eh, Bill?

or

That's interesting, eh Bill?

Wow Mark, that's incredible!

or

Wow, Mark, that's incredible!

I can't find a definitive answer on this anywhere. If you go by sound, sometimes it feels more natural to have a comma there. Other times it doesn't. Please, no cop-out answers like, "use an exclamation mark after the interjection."
  

Top answer

Hi, Written speech of this kind is very casual, and I would say that there is no 'definitive answer'. I'd say that going by sound is an excellent idea. By that, I mean put a comma where you feel you would naturally want to pause if you were saying this.

— Clive

  • Hi, Written speech of this kind is very casual, and I would say that there is no 'definitive answer'.
  • I'd say that going by sound is an excellent idea.
  • By that, I mean put a comma where you feel you would naturally want to pause if you were saying this.
  • Remember that a comma just represents a pause in speech.
  • Clive
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1 Answers
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Hi,

Written speech of this kind is very casual, and I would say that there is no 'definitive answer'.

I'd say that going by sound is an excellent idea. By that, I mean put a comma where you feel you would naturally want to pause if you were saying this. Remember that a comma just represents a pause in speech.

Clive
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