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Worksheet8th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 8th Grade Relative Clauses: Essential and Non-Essential Information Worksheet

Students learn how relative clauses beginning with who, whose, which, that and where add information about a noun, and how commas change the meaning. An essential clause identifies which person or thing is meant and takes no commas; a non-essential clause adds extra information and is set off by commas. Students identify relative clauses, decide whether they are essential, add or remove commas, and combine sentences using relative clauses.

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Grade
8th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Sentences & Clauses
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • identifying relative clauses and relative pronouns
  • distinguishing essential from non-essential relative clauses
  • using commas around non-essential relative clauses
  • explaining how commas change meaning
  • combining sentences with relative clauses

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Relative Clauses: Essential and Non-Essential Information

  1. 1Parallel Structure: Keeping Lists and Comparisons Balanced

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

8th Grade students (typically ages 13–14) working on sentences & clauses. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 17 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Parallel Structure: Keeping Lists and Comparisons Balanced.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets8th Grade · English · Sentences & Clauses

Relative Clauses: Essential and Non-Essential Information

Name

Date

Score /

Commas around a relative clause say: this is extra. No commas say: you need this to know who or what I mean.

Part A: Find the relative clause

A relative clause adds information about a noun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun: who, whom, whose, which, that, or the word where or when.

1.Underline the relative clause and circle the relative pronoun: "The girl who won the race is my cousin." (answer space)
2.Underline the relative clause: "The house where I grew up has been painted blue." (answer space)
3.Underline the relative clause: "My grandfather, whose stories I love, is visiting this weekend." (answer space)

Part B: Essential or non-essential?

An essential clause tells us which person or thing is meant; leave out the commas. A non-essential clause adds extra information about someone or something already identified; put commas around it. Test: remove the clause. If the sentence still points to the same person or thing, the clause is non-essential.

4.Students who finish early may read quietly.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)
5.My sister, who lives overseas, is visiting next month.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)
6.The book that I borrowed is overdue.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)
7.The Pacific Ocean, which is the largest ocean on Earth, covers about a third of the planet's surface.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)
8.The player whose shoelace came undone tripped near the line.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)
9.Our principal, who started last year, has introduced a reading club.
  1. Aessential (no commas)
  2. Bnon-essential (commas)

Part C: Commas change meaning

10.Explain the difference in meaning: (a) "The students who had permission notes went on the excursion." (b) "The students, who had permission notes, went on the excursion." (answer space)
11.Add commas if needed: "Mount Kilimanjaro which is in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa." (answer space)
12.Add commas if needed: "People who exercise regularly tend to sleep better." (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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