Using the Word "Sir" in Dialogue

Melville

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Should one capitalize the word sir when it's used in dialogue?
Which of the following would be correct?
"Yes sir." -or- "Yes Sir."

It depends. Is the recipient of the phrase knighted? Then it's "Yes, Sir." ;) If not, and it's just a polite reply to someone of authority: "Yes, sir." I've seen slang written as "Yessir" but not all that often. Don't forget your comma, however.
 

PinkAmy

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I think, capitalize Sir if you use it in place of the first name. If a character never calls John by his first name, but always calls him, "Sir." because sir has become a nickname. It's he same as if John always calls someone.
 

skylark

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I've seen it capitalised and exclamation-pointed ("Yes Sir!") to indicate a particularly sharp military delivery with strong emphasis on both words. I think the comma's left out for the same reason - because in that particular response type it very much isn't there in the way it is said.

Now I'm wondering how you'd present "sir yes sir", because I suspect that strictly it ought to be "Sir, yes, sir" and that doesn't look right for the delivery it would have at all. It just looks far too laid back.

Anyone write military fiction?
 

blacbird

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I've seen it capitalised and exclamation-pointed ("Yes Sir!") to indicate a particularly sharp military delivery with strong emphasis on both words. I think the comma's left out for the same reason - because in that particular response type it very much isn't there in the way it is said.

Now I'm wondering how you'd present "sir yes sir", because I suspect that strictly it ought to be "Sir, yes, sir" and that doesn't look right for the delivery it would have at all. It just looks far too laid back.

Anyone write military fiction?

I have. You should know that the "sir yes sir" response is particular to the Marines, and perhaps in Officer Candidate Schools and Academies (not sure about the latter, having no direct experience of those). In the U.S. Army, where I dwelt for several years, you did not call Drill Sergeants "sir", which differs from Marine practice. They were to be referred to, always, as "drill sergeant". The word "sir" was reserved for officers, including warrant officers. And the proper response was a simple "yes, sir", which is the way I've always written it.
 

writingismypassion

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Interesting...I was going to say capitalize it as long as "Sir" is being used to address someone. Just as you would capitalize mom or dad when mom and dad are being addressed directly. I don't think I've ever seen "sir" without being capitalized.
 
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maestrowork

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It's not capitalized, unless you're addressing someone with a title: Sir Ian McKellen.
 
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tko

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why a comma?

If it's a brisk military response "YES SIR"

Why would you need a comma? There is no pause. I can't find any rule that would require a comma.

I like "Hey Mary," better than "Hey, Mary." Most people would blend the two words together as one when speaking. Either could be used, but they do give a different feel to the sentence."

No capital. It's not a formal name. But you do need a comma:

"Yes, sir."

in the same way you would with a formal name:

"Yes, Mary."
 

maestrowork

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Like blacbird said, it's grammatically correct to use the comma.

However, in dialogue, grammar is a bit more relaxed. I wouldn't mind seeing "yes sir" instead of "yes, sir."
 

Quentin Nokov

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Boy, I'm glad I stumbled into this thread. For some reason capitalizing 'Sir' seemed correct to me. :D *Goes of to edit story* Thanks Greenpower for starting this subject and thanks to everyone who replied.
 

Chase

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If it's a brisk military response "YES SIR"

Why would you need a comma? There is no pause. I can't find any rule that would require a comma.

I like "Hey Mary," better than "Hey, Mary." Most people would blend the two words together as one when speaking. Either could be used, but they do give a different feel to the sentence."

The idea that if you don't pause, there's no comma, and if there's no comma, you don't pause is a misunderstanding of comma use.

The comma marks divisions of structure within a sentence. Sometimes there's a coincidental natural pause; sometimes there isn't one.

The structure of "yes, sir" is a comma in dialog to separate the person addressed from the rest of the sentence. It's to avoid confusion, not force a pause.

Used many times here at AW as an example is eliminating the confusion between:

"Let's eat, Grandma."

and

"Let's eat Grandma."
 

tko

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I disagree

A comma is used for (1) a pause (2) a list (3) to clarify.

Since there is no pause, since it's not a list, and since it's perfectly clear w/o the comma, why use one? It's awkward.

"Hey Jude," does NOT use a comma, and it would look stupid if the Beatles had put one in. "Hey, Jude, make it better????"

Neither does "Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand? I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady. I caught her messin' round with another man . . . "

"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" versus "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby. The former is correct, and sounds better.

Finally, if the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Blue Eyes aren't enough authority, I give you the comma song, written by an English teacher, which doesn't use a comma after "Hey."

http://www.songsforteaching.com/readinglanguagearts/commas.php

"Hey Momma, when do you use a comma?

Well, dear, you use it in a series....
Words in a series are in linear list
They're separated by commas, well, that is
Except the last 2 where you'll show that you're a comma whiz . . . "

Lastly, you'd be much better off writing "Grandma, lets eat." No confusion, even if you forget the comma, and more true to real life dialog. Awkward examples do not make the comma usage correct.

The idea that if you don't pause, there's no comma, and if there's no comma, you don't pause is a misunderstanding of comma use.

The comma marks divisions of structure within a sentence. Sometimes there's a coincidental natural pause; sometimes there isn't one.

The structure of "yes, sir" is a comma in dialog to separate the person addressed from the rest of the sentence. It's to avoid confusion, not force a pause.

Used many times here at AW as an example is eliminating the confusion between:

"Let's eat, Grandma."

and

"Let's eat Grandma."
 

Lil

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Commas are also used for direct address, which is what "yes, sir" is.
 

Chase

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Lastly, you'd be much better off writing "Grandma, lets eat." No confusion, even if you forget the comma, and more true to real life dialog. Awkward examples do not make the comma usage correct.

Shouldn't the contraction be let's? Or does the apostrophe put too long a pause in the word?

I have to admit this is the first rant against good comma use backed up by those icons of grammar, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Most go with what Shakespeare never wrote but was copied third or fourth hand by hearsay.

Totally illogical but in the grandest style, pause, breathe, ever.

Edit. Changing the sentence around is always an option with examples we don't like. It's an example from a textbook.
 
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OpheliaRevived

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2nd poster is correct. Sir is only capatalized if it is the first word in a sentence or if the character being referred to as "sir" has the title of knight.
 

dpaterso

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Even the "knighted character" usage has its quirks, "Sir" isn't used on its own, it's always used with the character's full or first name, e.g.

"And we are here tonight with Sir Ian McKellen, who has kindly agreed to give us a moment of his time. Well, Sir Ian, I think the audience agrees with me, your performance as 'Magneto' was simply magnificent."

I wouldn't put too much faith in song lyrics as a "how-to" reference. :)

-Derek
 

Quentin Nokov

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Basically, you wouldn't capitalize sir the way you wouldn't capitalize ma'am?

Yes, sir. -- Yes, Sir.

Yes, ma'am. -- Yes, Ma'am.

The latter of the two being incorrect and, to me, look rather funny either way.
 

dpaterso

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Basically, you wouldn't capitalize sir the way you wouldn't capitalize ma'am?

Yes, sir. -- Yes, Sir.

Yes, ma'am. -- Yes, Ma'am.

The latter of the two being incorrect and, to me, look rather funny either way.
Lowercase -- sir and ma'am are respectful honorifics, not titles or rank labels.

-Derek