What changes from the seventh grade page?

Two cuts per sentence instead of one, and longer sentences with two clauses. The padded phrases (in order to, for a period of) are new at this grade.

Is in order to always wrong?

Not wrong, just longer than most sentences need. To finish on time says the same thing as in order to finish on time. Writers keep it now and then for rhythm, but on this sheet it is always one of the two cuts.

How does this help with essays?

Most first drafts carry extra words, and word limits on tests and applications are strict. A student who spots doubled words and padding on sight revises faster and says more in the space they have.

8th grade wordiness and redundancy

8th grade wordiness and redundancy worksheets

Wordiness means using more words than the meaning needs. At grade 8 each sentence has two spots to trim: a doubled word (merged together, completely finished) and often a padded phrase (in order to, for a period of). Eighth graders write the tight version and keep every word that carries meaning.

Free printable PDF worksheet.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Rewrite each sentence without the words that repeat an idea. Keep every word that adds meaning.

Please enter your PIN number, and then return back to the main screen.
Fixed: Please enter your PIN, and then return to the main screen.
The two melodies blended together, and the last chord of the piece was quiet in volume.
The new bike path will connect together the park and the school and will be finished in the spring season.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on an 8th grade sheet

8th grade sheets draw from 52 sentences, 7 to a page. None of these sentences are on 7th grade sheets. 7th grade sheets print 8 to a page.

A few of the sentences, as the answer key corrects them:

The substitute said the new seating chart was final, and she posted it on a sheet of paper that was yellow.
The researchers sealed the ice samples in jars and stored them in a freezer for six months.
The engineers began testing the drone in May and flew it for five minutes each day.

Fix it. Rewrite each sentence without the words that repeat an idea. Keep every word that adds meaning. 7 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Every sentence here has two cuts, and the second one is where students slip. They find one redundancy, fix it, and stop, so tell them up front to look for two. The padded phrases are new: in order to, for a period of, during the course of. Have students read the sentence without the first few words of the phrase and ask whether anything was lost. Then take it to their own writing. Cutting ten words from a recent essay without losing an idea shows how much padding a first draft carries.

Watch for: The goal is not the shortest sentence. The rock was gray with white streaks has nothing to cut. The rock was gray in color does. Cut the word that repeats, not the one that matters. Mixed together keeps mixed, because together is already inside it. Some pairs only look doubled. Free time, advance guard, and past tense are ordinary phrases. The test is whether one word already says what the other one adds.

Common questions about 8th grade wordiness and redundancy

What changes from the seventh grade page?: Two cuts per sentence instead of one, and longer sentences with two clauses. The padded phrases (in order to, for a period of) are new at this grade.
Is in order to always wrong?: Not wrong, just longer than most sentences need. To finish on time says the same thing as in order to finish on time. Writers keep it now and then for rhythm, but on this sheet it is always one of the two cuts.
How does this help with essays?: Most first drafts carry extra words, and word limits on tests and applications are strict. A student who spots doubled words and padding on sight revises faster and says more in the space they have.

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Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated September 2026.

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