20 Examples of Vocative

Vocative

The vocative It is an element of discourse that helps the speaker attract the attention of the receiver or recipients of his message. In this way, the statement is specifically directed to someone. For example: Sit down, Mister.

The vocative expressly fulfills the appellate function: invokes, calls or names a person or several people present in the communicative act.

That way of naming is not fixed: the most common is that it is through the mention of his first name, or first and last name (if you want to be more precise). But it can also be a term that designates a profession or title, a job position within a public or private institution, a family category, or even a nickname, a hypocoristic or a adjective that tacitly identifies it in that context.

Although affectionate and respectful adjectives are usually used, some care must be taken, because in different cultures this can vary.

Examples of vocatives

1. Martha, close the door tightly before you go.
2. Today is a very special day, dear students.
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3. I'm worried, doctor. He has had a fever for several days.
4. And that's why I tell you, friends, which I feel very gratified.
5. Today you take an exam, Prof?
6. ¡SultanHere is the plate with your food!
7. Hello, Tere! How thin you are!
8. Pass by here, beautifull. We will start with the haircut.
9. And that's it, boys.
10. Let's see, thin, show us what you have to sell ...
11. Can't believe it Mechi, it was finally given to you!
12. Classmates, we must be more united today than ever.
13. But, Mrs, don't touch all the apples ...
14. I told you several times Juan Gabriel, we have to give this topic a cut.
15. I'm sorry I interrupted you Leiva, but I'm in a rush with that report.
16. Go ahead, fat womancome with me ...
17. GuysDon't you want to play a little snack now that it's not so hot anymore?
18. Do not say foolishness, Claudia, you know that i'm not leaving this office for that
19. Grandma, in a while we go out to run errands.
20. Let's see, Dear, if you put the batteries and start cleaning this ...

The vocative in the sentence

From a syntactic point of view, the vocative is considered a peripheral element of the sentence. This means that it should be isolated from the rest of the sentence by commas. If it appears at the beginning or end of the sentence, it requires only the closing or opening comma, respectively. If it appears in the middle of the sentence, it will be enclosed between two commas.

Although the location of the vocative (at the beginning, middle or end of the sentence) is not grammatically relevant, some linguists consider that there is a different expressive nuance in each case.

Their placement at the beginning almost always has the simple purpose of attracting the attention of the person to whom the speech is addressed, that is why it is typical of public speeches, for example, of politicians.

When it is located in any part of the sentence or at its closing, it is generally perceived rather as an emphatic resource or rhetorical, to reinforce the expression of what is said or to give a quick moment of relaxation to those who listen to what is It is said that. In informal exchanges between friends or relatives, the vocative often reflects affection or trust.