Another grammar question

[c073186]

Okay, which is correct:

A Happy Birthday John.

B Happy Birthday, John.

For some reason, I want to say that B is correct. But I have no idea why. Can someone say with certainty which one is proper? Thanks.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

Okay, which is correct:

A Happy Birthday John.

B Happy Birthday, John.

For some reason, I want to say that B is correct. But I have no idea why. Can someone say with certainty which one is proper? Thanks.

B. A would be if "Happy Birthday" was some kind of title, such as "Prankmaster Bill."

 

[c073186]

B. A would be if "Happy Birthday" was some kind of title, such as "Prankmaster Bill."

So... do you always use a comma before a person's name in a sentence? What's the rule that makes B correct? Just wondering...

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

So... do you always use a comma before a person's name in a sentence? What's the rule that makes B correct? Just wondering...

It's mainly the way it's read. When you read the sentence, you say "Happy Birthday [short pause] John" not "Happy Birthday John."

Edit: Someone else may be able to answer that question in better "rule" terms. In non-fiction, there may be some specific rule for this, however in fiction, you have much more leeway with commas.

 

[Phrasikleia]

It's the comma of direct address.

 

[AC Rempt]

AKA noun of address, but yeah, that's the ticket. It's B.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

It's the comma of direct address.

AKA noun of address, but yeah, that's the ticket. It's B.

There you go 🙂

 

[Doctor Q]

You are Correct c073186.

You are also correct, c073186.