Skip to main content
3 of 3
Commonmark migration

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.

Vincent McNabb
  • 9.2k
  • 3
  • 41
  • 39