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Which Part of the Sentence Is This?
2013/01/27
8:15am
danomar
Posts: 13
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2009/05/25
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This is bugging me: What part of the sentence is the word "David" in this example?

"David, Mr. Thompkins will be here soon; set the table."

"Mr. Thompkins" is the subject; "David" is not, to my reckoning, the indirect object, so what part of the sentence is it?

TIA

-Daniel

2013/01/27
11:15am
Glenn
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It is the vocative. The vocative expresses the person, people, animal, or thing being addressed with the sentence. The word vocative refers to calling (invoke, c.f. vocal, revoke, convocation, etc.).

God, give me strength. (vocative) vs. God give me strength. (subject with subjunctive verb.)

Fido, come here.

Susan, I just don't know.

Doctor, what is the matter?

Death, where is thy victory?

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

2013/01/28
10:12am
danomar
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Ah, got it. Thanks!

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