Use of a comma with a name. "Yes, Amy, I am listening."

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me if all the following versions are correct—I mean, with regard to the comma?

[Pamela]

I prefer #1.

[Tom]

Hi

Could I request a native speaker to shed some light on it?

Please!

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

The comma is as you know a device for indicating a short pause. You'll notice I haven't used any commas in that sentence because a pause isn't necessary. Of your three sentences above, I would prefer number three. You'll also noitice I've popped in a comma in that sentence to please those who worship the comma.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Mister Micawber]

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From another source:

"Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements, as in The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down. By 'parenthetical element', we mean a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the essential meaning of that sentence.

An addressed person's name is always parenthetical. Be sure, however, that the name is that of someone actually being spoken to: I'm telling you, Juanita, I couldn't be more surprised. (But: I told Juanita I couldn't be more surprised. [no commas])"
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yankee]

[Yankee]

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I don't "worship" commas, Tom, but they do serve a purpose and there are also many conventional uses for commas. If they are overused in a sentence, they tend to distract the reader. If they are underused in a sentence, the reader may have to read the sentence several times before they can figure out what the author intended to say. As I'm sure you know, the addition or omission of a comma can also sometimes change the meaning of a sentence.

That said, your first sentence would probably be considered by most to be the correct version.

By the way, there was also a very definite reason for the comma in my previous post.
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[Lost_Soul]

[Yankee]

Yes, that's right. However, the use of a comma there is quite standard. It helps the reader to quickly and efficiently identify "why" as an interjection.
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[Prezbucky]

#1 is the best option, in my opinion.
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