Which term describes a group of words forming a component of a clause?

The term that describes a group of words forming a component of a clause is "phrase." A phrase is a sequence of words that does not contain a subject-verb pairing and cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Phrases act as building blocks within sentences, fulfilling various grammatical roles such as acting like a noun, adjective, or adverb.

In contrast, a cliché refers to an overused expression or idea that has lost its originality. A sentence is a complete thought that contains a subject and predicate. A paragraph is a larger unit of writing that contains one or more sentences focused on a central idea. Thus, "phrase" specifically highlights a grouping of words that is integral to constructing clauses and overall sentence structure.