I'm trying to explain something to one of my friends, and unfortunately, I'm not too good at that. Can someone help me explain (in a not-confusing way) WHY you put the comma in this sentence?
[Millie, go get the papers off my desk.] or [What's wrong with you, you idiot?]
Thanks~!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
This is a magnificent place to find explanations of just about everything that has to do with grammar and usage. Bookmark it!!
Here's the webpage on comma uses:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Scroll down and read the explanation and examples just above #5 -- you're looking for "addressed person's name."
Here's another; see Rule 4:
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
Sure, I can help you explain why commas are used in those sentences.
In both sentences, the comma is used to separate a direct address or an interjection from the rest of the sentence. A direct address is when you directly speak to someone or call their name, and an interjection is a word or phrase used to express strong emotion or surprise.
Let's break down the sentences to understand the comma placement:
1. [Millie, go get the papers off my desk.]
The comma in this sentence is used to separate the name "Millie" from the rest of the sentence. It indicates that you are directly addressing Millie. In other words, you are speaking to Millie and giving her a command. The comma helps to clarify that Millie is the intended audience of the instruction. Without the comma, the sentence would be unclear and could be interpreted as stating a fact about Millie instead.
2. [What's wrong with you, you idiot?]
Similarly, the comma in this sentence is used to separate the interjection "you idiot" from the phrase "What's wrong with you?" Here, the interjection "you idiot" expresses strong emotion or frustration, and the comma helps to set it apart from the rest of the sentence. It emphasizes the speaker's tone and conveys the speaker's strong feelings towards the person they are addressing.
So, in both cases, the comma is used to indicate a direct address or to set off an interjection, making the sentences clearer and helping to convey the intended meaning.