Whenever we speak directly to someone, we put a comma after the name of the person to whom we are speaking. We would most often use this rule in a written story, where one of the characters is speaking to another character. Here is an example of how this rule is applied:
Mary, please close the door.
In this case, the writer or speaker is directly addressing Mary with this instruction, so we need to put a comma after Mary.
Here are some more examples:
Class, take out your math books.
Mom, I can’t find my boots.
Sarah, you will be late for school if you don’t get up now.
If the name of the person being addressed is in the middle of the sentence, commas must be placed on both sides of the name, like this:
It’s too dark, Johnny, for you to be outside.
Be careful, Tina, so that you do not slip and fall.
We also set off the name with a comma if it appears at the end of the sentence.
Hang up your coat, Bill.
I’ll be right there, Betty.
Use a comma or commas to set off the name of a person who is being directly addressed.
▶It’s your turn. Place commas where they should go in this sentence. It’s too early Jimmy for you to be playing the drums. Did you find a place for two commas in this sentence? Good for you!