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Q&A Comma before names of people or titles

I am wondering whether it's necessary to use commas in the sentences below when addressing or introducing someone: “You look after each other, okay children?" “You look after each other, okay...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by MoniqueH‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T05:27:26Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/23976
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar MoniqueH‭ · 2019-12-08T05:27:26Z (almost 5 years ago)
I am wondering whether it's necessary to use commas in the sentences below when addressing or introducing someone:

> “You look after each other, okay children?"  
> “You look after each other, okay, children?

Which version would be better or are both fine depending on whether there is a pause in speech?

> "I'll have a sparkling water, please, sir."

Should there be a comma before sir (or does it make the sentence stilted?) or should it be:

> "I'll have a sparkling water, please sir."

Also,

> "I turn to see my friend James Grand walking towards me."

Or should it be:

> "I turn to see my friend, James Grand, walking towards me."

In the same vein:

> "He and his elder sister Evie once looked after us..."

Or should it be:

> "He and his elder sister, Evie, once looked after us..."

A similar question is regarding commas and the introduction of a name with the possessive:

> "We are attending our friends', John and Crystal's, engagement party."

Or should it be:

> "We are attending our friends John and Crystal's engagement party."

Any advice on these points would be greatly appreciated!

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2016-07-30T21:47:31Z (over 8 years ago)
Original score: 1