English commas, oh my God...
Well, this is a question about something what is truly my headache, for a long time already. I can't get if one should use a comma in sentences like those below, or not. I’ve heard from a native speaker that a comma is no need here, that it’s a mistake. Actually, although the sentences without a comma looked weird to me, I believed him. I saw such punctuation very often on forums, but what was it: an illiteracy or just a rule of English language? I couldn’t know.
Ok, recently I was watching a movie in English, with English subtitles, and all the addresses were marked out with commas there.
So, it is a torture for me!!!!
Could someone please just tell me if a comma is needed here, or not?
Daddy, I want this toy.
I want this toy, daddy.
John, can you go to fetch bread?
Yes, sir.
Yes, my dear.
John, I forgot to take the camera.
You know, John, I forgot to take the camera.
Let's go, my friend.
John, could you be more polite?
Thank you, John.
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Cambridge Grammar of English:
1 With tags and responses
Tags and yes-no responses are separated by commas:
He is going to be there, isn’t he?
I’m thirsty, I am.
Yes, thank you. I’d be delighted to accept.
2 With vocatives, discourse markers and interjections
Vocatives, discourse markers and interjections are also punctuated with commas:
Open the door for them, Jake, can you. Thanks.
The trouble is, doctor, I’ve stopped taking the prescription.
Ros, can you get me a paper while you’re out.
Well, what do you suppose they did about it?
Oh, so, you’ll be off in about an hour, then?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Оля
Could someone please just tell me if a comma is needed here, or not?
2 Daddy, I want this toy.
2 I want this toy, daddy.
2 John, can you go to fetch bread?
1 Yes, sir.
1 Yes, my dear.
2 John, I forgot to take the camera.
2 You know, John, I forgot to take the camera.
2 Let's go, my friend.
2 John, could you be more polite?
2 Thank you, John.
But who sets the rules of the English language? :roll:
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Quote:
Originally Posted by on-don
But who sets the rules of the English language? :roll:
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/womenenc/D1_ML.jpg
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Оля
I saw such punctuation very often on forums, but what was it: an illiteracy or just a rule of English language?
Please don't try to learn grammar by reading forums unless they're adult oriented and are discussing something of substance. The language used by young people on pop, social forums is atrocious, making one wonder at the level of literacy of the average native English speaking youth.
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sperk
Please don't try to learn grammar by reading forums unless they're adult oriented and are discussing something of substance. The language used by young people on pop, social forums is atrocious, making one wonder at the level of literacy of the average native English speaking youth.
I visit only a pair of forums in English, this one and another one which is linguistic. ;)
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sperk
Quote:
Originally Posted by Оля
I saw such punctuation very often on forums, but what was it: an illiteracy or just a rule of English language?
Please don't try to learn grammar by reading forums unless they're adult oriented and are discussing something of substance. The language used by young people on pop, social forums is atrocious, making one wonder at the level of literacy of the average native English speaking youth.
Don't worry, I've read forums in various foreign languages and young people worldwide abuse their mother tongue on the internet, not just English speakers.
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Sorry for the late response...
Оля, in highly prescriptive "correct" written English, all your examples are perfect; the commas are essential. Most educated writers of British English, even on an Internet forum, would use commas where you have, which means that no-one can ever tell you that your examples are wrong :-)
There are, however, many examples of native speakers of British* English NOT using commas before a vocative, e.g. I think you are right John
Some of the other commentators have pointed out why this is a useful rule: it distinguishes I know John from I know, John.
* I don't know what happens with commas in other forms of English. In particular, American English can be surprisingly conservative about such things.
Hope this helps!
Белка
Re: English commas, oh my God...
Quote:
Originally Posted by belka
There are, however, many examples of native speakers of British* English NOT using commas before a vocative, e.g. I think you are right John
Well, there are also many examples of native speakers of Russian not using commas before a vocative in Russian, but this fact doesn't mean that a comma is optional there. If you don't put a comma before a vocative in Russian, it definitely is a mistake.
Quote:
In particular, American English can be surprisingly conservative about such things.
It is not. :)