vocative

Everyday

1. In grammar, the vocative is the word or name used to speak directly to someone, as in «Tom, come here!». tree →
2. In some languages (Latin, Ukrainian, Polish), the vocative is a special case: the name changes its ending when you call someone (Ukrainian «Ivan» becomes «Ivane»). tree →

In the lessons

In English grammar lessons, a vocative is set off with a comma («Thank you, Mum.»); in Latin and Ukrainian lessons, the vocative case has its own ending; the famous joke: «Let's eat, Grandma!» vs «Let's eat Grandma!» shows why the comma matters.

Examples

• In «Hurry up, Sam», «Sam» is a vocative. tree →
• Use a comma before the vocative: «Thanks, Dad.» tree →
• «Let's eat, Grandma!» — the comma saves Grandma. tree →
• In Ukrainian, «mama» becomes «mamo» in the vocative. tree →
• «O Lord» is an old vocative used in prayers. tree →

Note

English has no special vocative ending, only commas: always separate the name you are calling from the rest of the sentence with a comma. Do not confuse with «vocabulary».