grammar - Where should the comma be placed in the salutation of a letter?


Sometimes I see a comma after the proper name:



Hello Mr. Black,


In order to give you....



But my native language is not English and I think that the comma in this phrase should be placed before the proper name:



Hello, Mr. Black.


In order to give you....



What is the correct punctuation in English?



Answer



Both are correct.


In a dialogue, a pause can be used for effect, putting emphasis on the greeting, eg:



Hello, Mr. Black.



"Hello" is said first, then a pause, then the name. Normally, people would say:



Hello Mr. Black.



Without any pauses in their speech.


When writing a letter or email, it is quite common to do this:



Hello Mr. Black,


Bla bla bla...



Or in a more formal situation:



Dear Mr. Black,


Bla bla bla...



It is uncommon to put a comma before the title even in an informal email salutation (though quite acceptable), but it would never be done in a formal letter/email.


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