How To Use Commas With Names And Titles

Use standard job title rules see above when listing a trustee s specific role on the board.

How to use commas with names and titles. I ve recently received a handful of questions asking for clarification about rule governing the use of commas with names and titles. 1 like in the example. Joe smith m d will speak at the conference. Use a comma between the name and the abbreviated degree as in joe smith m d this also applies to professional titles. Addressing people english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary.

Depending on the type of title you may need to capitalize the title underline the title or use quotation marks around the title to ensure it is punctuated properly. In this case you do need a comma. Let s start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word s in a sentence it can either be used with no commas at all or with a comma both before and after. Because this post has become so popular i ve made it available in pdf format. Of all the comma rules tested on the sat and act this is probably the subtlest.

It all depends on the context. When writing abbreviations associated with name titles correct use of capitalization and punctuation provides clarity for the reader. Use trustee members full names on first reference and do not list degrees after trustee unless specified. Commas should sometimes be placed before and after names and titles. In listing people s names and jobs you can use two strategies.

Traditionally when a child is given the same name as his father the title junior is attached. It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or. The father on the other hand is deemed senior roman numerals are used to denote. When referring to someone as a general member of the board do not use the word trustee itself as a title e g. For example mary richards director of development if written in a sentence include a second comma after the degree or title.

It s the big and little trick. The correct way to use commas with names and titles we use commas while combining multiple phrases in one sentence or writing about different items in a list. Many teachers require students to use modern language association style for research papers and essays covering language arts cultural studies and the humanities there is a trick to remembering how to treat titles in mla style and it works well enough that you can commit most types of titles to memory. Click here to download. 2 put the name first followed by the job.