direct address: commas around a name or title

The comma that marks the person spoken to.

Set off a name or a title in direct address with commas: Lee, sit down. Sit down, Lee. The answer, Lee, is no. Without the comma, Let’s eat John is not an address.

Examples

UseDana, the file is ready.

UseThe file is ready, Dana.

AvoidDana the file is ready.