SubjectComparison termTypeSingleSingleSingle–singleSingleCompositeSingle–compositeCompositeSingleComposite–singleCompositeCompositeComposite–composite
A composite is identified by a coordinated configuration whose resemblance would not remain the same if its elements were considered in isolation. Merely adding a descriptive phrase or circumstance to one thing does not automatically make it a composite term.
First identify both complete compared terms; then determine whether their elements function independently or jointly. This guards against mistaking verbal length for compositional structure.