When you are addressing a person by name, you need to put a comma after their name.
Look at this example:
John, I need your help.
You are speaking to John, so you must put a comma after his name before saying the rest of the sentence.
Here are more examples:
Sarah, your mother wants you to call her.
Dad, Mom told me to give this to you.
Jim, the groceries are on the porch.
Sometimes you put the person’s name in the middle of the sentence when you are talking to them. Then you need commas on both sides of their name.
Here is a bucket, Mark, if you want to carry some water.
I know you’re tired, Betty, but we can’t quit now.
The comma in front of the name is only used when you are speaking to the person and calling them by name. Do not put a comma by a person’s name if you are talking about them. Try to see the difference in these two examples:
I saw Bob at the park. We are talking about Bob. We don’t use a comma.
Bob, let’s go to the park. Now we are talking to Bob, so we need to set off his name with a comma.
Use a comma after a person’s name if you addressing them by name.
▶It’s your turn. Decide which of these sentences needs a comma.
I want to ask Mom a question. Mom where do we keep the broom?
I hope you put a comma in the second sentence where you are talking to Mom. Good job!