1. Sentences, Clauses, and Phrases
Knowing the difference when you write

2. The Sentence
Consists of a group of words consisting of phrases and clauses
Think of the BIG PICTURE
EXAMPLE
In the morning, there was a torrent of rain splattering the ground as the thunder roared and the lightening flashed.

3. The clause A group of words containing a subject and a verb
Can either be independent (stand on its own) or dependent (fragment)
EXAMPLE
In the early morning hours, there was a torrent of rain splattering the ground as the thunder roared and the lightening flashed.

4. The phrase Group of words without a subject and verb
Can be anywhere in the sentence
EXAMPLE
In the early morning hours, there was a torrent of rain splattering the ground as the thunder roared and the lightening flashed.