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Grade 8Commas with Nonrestrictive ClausesAnalysis

Commas with Nonrestrictive Clauses Worksheet — Grade 8

Grade 8 practice sheet for identifying and correctly punctuating nonrestrictive and restrictive relative clauses in complex, multi-clause sentences.

Knowing when to place commas around a clause — and when to leave them out — is one of the most significant punctuation decisions a writer faces at this level. This worksheet focuses on relative clauses, which are groups of words beginning with who, which, or that and adding detail to a noun. A nonrestrictive clause contributes information that could be cut without altering the sentence's core meaning, so commas appear on both sides of it. A restrictive clause specifies exactly which person or thing is meant, and removing it would distort the meaning, so no commas are used. Work through the four sections in sequence, moving from recognizing well-punctuated examples to correcting errors and, finally, to writing your own sentences.

Commas with Nonrestrictive Clauses Worksheet — Grade 8

Read each sentence carefully and apply your knowledge of restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. Each section has its own specific directions.

Remember

  • A nonrestrictive clause can be removed without changing the core meaning; use commas on both sides: 'My cat, who hates rain, stayed inside.'
  • A restrictive clause identifies which person or thing is meant; removing it changes the meaning. Never use commas around it.
  • Test yourself: delete the clause mentally. If the sentence still conveys what it needs to, the clause is nonrestrictive and needs commas.

Part A — Underline the Nonrestrictive Clause

Underline the nonrestrictive relative clause in each sentence.

  1. 1.

    The documentary, which aired on Tuesday, examined how cities manage their water supply.

  2. 2.

    Our school librarian, who has catalogued thousands of books, is retiring at the end of this year.

  3. 3.

    The Sahara Desert, which covers most of northern Africa, is the world's largest hot desert.

  4. 4.

    Yusuf's bicycle, which he had ridden to school for three years, was finally stolen from the rack.

  5. 5.

    The volcano, which last erupted more than two hundred years ago, still shows signs of heat activity.

  6. 6.

    Sofia's lab report, which she had drafted three times, received the highest score in the class.

Part B — Choose the Correct Answer

Read each question and circle the letter of the best answer from the three choices provided.

  1. 7.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the nonrestrictive relative clause?

    1. a)Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.
    2. b)Lake Baikal which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.
    3. c)Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water lies in southern Siberia.
  2. 8.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the restrictive relative clause?

    1. a)Any athlete, who misses three or more practices, will not be eligible for the championship.
    2. b)Any athlete who misses three or more practices will not be eligible for the championship.
    3. c)Any athlete who misses three or more practices, will not be eligible for the championship.
  3. 9.

    Which best describes the clause in: 'The policy that governs tardiness was revised last month'?

    1. a)Restrictive — it identifies which policy and requires no commas.
    2. b)Nonrestrictive — it adds extra information and needs commas around it.
    3. c)Nonrestrictive — it cannot be removed from the sentence, so it needs commas.
  4. 10.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the nonrestrictive relative clause?

    1. a)Ms. Reyes, who has coached the team for a decade, led them to their first regional title.
    2. b)Ms. Reyes who has coached the team for a decade, led them to their first regional title.
    3. c)Ms. Reyes, who has coached the team for a decade led them to their first regional title.
  5. 11.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the restrictive relative clause?

    1. a)The essay, that scored highest, was published in the school's literary magazine.
    2. b)The essay that scored highest, was published in the school's literary magazine.
    3. c)The essay that scored highest was published in the school's literary magazine.
  6. 12.

    Which best describes the clause in: 'The students who stayed after class passed the retest'?

    1. a)Restrictive — it specifies which students and correctly has no commas.
    2. b)Nonrestrictive — it adds bonus information and should have commas around it.
    3. c)Nonrestrictive — it cannot be removed without confusion, so it needs commas.

Part C — Correct the Punctuation Error

Each sentence has one comma error involving a relative clause; rewrite the full sentence with the error corrected.

  1. 13.

    The Great Wall of China which stretches for thousands of miles was built over many centuries.

  2. 14.

    Any student, who fails to submit the assignment on time, will receive a late penalty.

  3. 15.

    Fatima, who represents our school at regional debates was named captain of the team last month.

  4. 16.

    The scientist who conducted the study, published her results in a leading medical journal.

  5. 17.

    Jupiter which is the largest planet in our solar system has at least ninety-five known moons.

  6. 18.

    The treaty, that ended the conflict, established new trade routes between the two nations.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentences

Follow each prompt to write an original sentence, then check that your commas are placed correctly.

  1. 19.

    Write a sentence about a place or landmark that includes a nonrestrictive relative clause. Add commas correctly.

  2. 20.

    Write a sentence about a school rule or requirement that uses a restrictive relative clause. Do not add commas.

Answer key

Part A — Underline the Nonrestrictive Clause

  1. 1.which aired on Tuesday
  2. 2.who has catalogued thousands of books
  3. 3.which covers most of northern Africa
  4. 4.which he had ridden to school for three years
  5. 5.which last erupted more than two hundred years ago
  6. 6.which she had drafted three times

Part B — Choose the Correct Answer

  1. 7.Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.
  2. 8.Any athlete who misses three or more practices will not be eligible for the championship.
  3. 9.Restrictive — it identifies which policy and requires no commas.
  4. 10.Ms. Reyes, who has coached the team for a decade, led them to their first regional title.
  5. 11.The essay that scored highest was published in the school's literary magazine.
  6. 12.Restrictive — it specifies which students and correctly has no commas.

Part C — Correct the Punctuation Error

  1. 13.The Great Wall of China, which stretches for thousands of miles, was built over many centuries.
  2. 14.Any student who fails to submit the assignment on time will receive a late penalty.
  3. 15.Fatima, who represents our school at regional debates, was named captain of the team last month.
  4. 16.The scientist who conducted the study published her results in a leading medical journal.
  5. 17.Jupiter, which is the largest planet in our solar system, has at least ninety-five known moons.
  6. 18.The treaty that ended the conflict established new trade routes between the two nations.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentences

  1. 19.Example: The Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937, connects San Francisco to Marin County.
  2. 20.Example: Students who score below seventy percent on any test must complete a revision before moving on.

What this worksheet teaches

  • Distinguish between restrictive and nonrestrictive relative clauses in complex sentences.
  • Punctuate nonrestrictive clauses correctly by placing commas before and after the clause.
  • Identify and repair comma errors in sentences containing restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.

What is on the page

Part B — Choose the Correct Answer prints “Which sentence correctly punctuates the nonrestrictive relative clause?” with the options “Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.”, “Lake Baikal which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.” and “Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water lies in southern Siberia.”; the key gives “Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of Earth's fresh water, lies in southern Siberia.”.

In Part C — Correct the Punctuation Error, “The Great Wall of China which stretches for thousands of miles was built over many centuries.” is corrected in the key to “The Great Wall of China, which stretches for thousands of miles, was built over many centuries.”

The language it drills

“The documentary, which aired on Tuesday, examined how cities manage their water supply.” has one answer in the key: “which aired on Tuesday”.

Notes for the grown-up

  • Students often add commas around every relative clause; ask them whether the clause identifies which one or just adds bonus details.
  • To test understanding, have the student read the sentence without the clause and judge whether the core meaning still holds.
  • A student is ready to advance when they can explain in words why a given clause does or does not require commas.

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