The Hierarchy of Word Units

The hierarchy of word units is:

Word (e.g., Shark)
(A word is the smallest meaningful unit.)

Phrase (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark)

(A phrase is a single piece of information
made up of more than one word. It will not
contain a subject and a verb.)
Clause (e.g., When a seven-foot tiger shark
arrived...)
(A clause is a single piece of information
made up of more than one word which
contains a subject and a verb.)

Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark

arrived.)
(A sentence conveys a complete idea. It must
contain at least one clause. Note: A clause
that stands alone as a sentence is known as
an independent clause.)
 Complex Sentence (e.g., When a seven-foot
tiger shark arrived, the crew stopped fishing.)
(A complex sentence is an independent
clause supported by at least one other
clause.)

Compound Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger

shark arrived, and the crew stopped fishing.)
(A compound sentence is a sentence made
up of at least two independent clauses.)