Which sentence correctly uses a comma to address a person directly?

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to address a person directly?

• A. Let's go bathe the dog Vicky.
• B. Let's go bathe the dog, Vicky.
• C. Let's go bathe the dog, Vicky!
• D. Let's go bathe the dog—Vicky.

Answer: (B)

Direct address uses a comma to set off the name of the person being spoken to. In this sentence, Vicky is the person being addressed, so placing a comma before her name signals that you’re talking directly to her rather than continuing the action. This makes the sentence clear: “Let’s go bathe the dog, Vicky.” The comma shows you’re addressing Vicky as you issue the instruction. Without the comma, the sentence becomes confusing, as it could read as if Vicky is part of the action rather than the addressee. Replacing the comma with a dash changes the tone and slightly weakens the standard direct-address rule. An exclamation mark after the name is a tonal option, but the requirement here centers on employing a comma for the direct address.

Direct address uses a comma to set off the name of the person being spoken to. In this sentence, Vicky is the person being addressed, so placing a comma before her name signals that you’re talking directly to her rather than continuing the action.

This makes the sentence clear: “Let’s go bathe the dog, Vicky.” The comma shows you’re addressing Vicky as you issue the instruction.

Without the comma, the sentence becomes confusing, as it could read as if Vicky is part of the action rather than the addressee. Replacing the comma with a dash changes the tone and slightly weakens the standard direct-address rule. An exclamation mark after the name is a tonal option, but the requirement here centers on employing a comma for the direct address.