Dash, comma
Hi, I am straggling with punctuation for 2 sentences: 1. "X companies participated in the event, out of which - Y environmental organizations". I need to emphasize that Y out of X were environmental organizations, but not sure for the dash after "out of which". 2. We are using Z - a best-in-class data analysis tool. Not sure if I need to have a dash after Z or a comma. Thank you much for your help, Astra
Astra
New member
2 answers 
An em-dash (so-called because it is as wide as a capital M) is used as an emphatic substitute for a comma. On a typewriter and on this forum, two hyphens are used to simulate the em-dash.
An em-dash is never required, but is a stylistic choice. It should not be overused.
I agree with Lewis concerning the placement of the commas. In the second sentence, an em-dash might be considered "overkill".
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answered Nov 06 '12 at 19:35
Jeff Pribyl
Grammarly Fellow
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Because it's not needed, remove the dash and add 'were'.
X companies participated in the event, out of which Y were environmental organizations.
A comma is just right for this sentence.
We are using Z, a best-in-class data analysis tool.
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answered Nov 06 '12 at 19:11
Lewis Neidhardt
Expert
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