Each time you need to insert information to explain, you use commas. The following sentences are good:
1. Mary , the daughter of Don Pedro , arrived in Chile. (Good)
2. The daughter of Don Pedro , Mary , arrived in Chile. (Good)
3. He traveled to Colombia , where her daughter. (Good)
4. Foreign Trade Minister , Mercedes Araoz , is Lima. (Good)
5. Mercedes Araoz , Foreign Trade Minister , is Lima. (Good)
But often they are misused commas, in the belief that it is explaining. Read carefully:
6.a. * The congressman , Mauricio Mulder , lives in Pueblo Libre. (bad)
6.b. The congressman Mauricio Mulder lives in Pueblo Libre. (Good)
In 6.a. no explanation as the fact that Mulder is Congressman is not a unique attribute [as if it is in the case of the Minister] and therefore will not eat.
7.a. * The talented Peruvian opera singer , Juan Diego Flórez , married in Germany. (bad)
7.b. The talented opera singer Peruvian Juan Diego Flórez was married in Germany. (Good)
In 7.a., commas are bad, because Juan Diego Flórez is not the only Peruvian opera singer, an attribute that is used to describe or characterize the tenor (not explain), as we would in the case of a "prestigious lawyer," an "excellent doctor" or "eminent dancer." See the examples:
8.a. The prestigious Attorney Wilmer piurano Talavera won international recognition. (Good)
8.b. * The prestigious lawyer piurano , Wilmer Talavera , gained international recognition. (bad)
9.a. The great physician William Ballon Arequipa was awarded in the sixth Peruvian Congress of Surgery. (Good)
9.b. * The excellent medical Arequipa , William Ballon , was awarded in the sixth Peruvian Congress of Surgery. (bad)
Other common mistakes:
10.a. * The former Minister , Pilar Mazzetti , traveled to Europe. (bad)
10.b. The former Minister Pilar Mazzetti traveled to Europe. (Good)
Why 10.a. wrong? Because being former minister does not confer exclusivity Pilar Mazzetti, other former ministers. 11.a.
* Former President , Francisco Morales Bermúdez , come to Peru in August. (bad)
11.b. Former President Francisco Morales Bermudez arrived in Peru in August. (Good)
To use commas explanatory 11.a. be former President would have to be exclusive Morales Bermúdez But no, there are other former presidents.
Source: http://blogs.elcomercio.com.pe/ideasypalabras/
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