Which words in this sentence make up the verb phrase?

Several islands in the Pacific Ocean were formed by volcanos.

A.

formed by volcanos

B.

were formed

C.

in the Pacific Ocean

D.

Several islands

B. were formed make up the verb phrase.

A verb phrase is a phrase composed of verbs, whether the verbs be an action verb or a linking verb.

Writers use action verbs to depict action. They use linking verbs to describe conditions. However, there are instances when action and condition happens at the same time; thus, verb phrases are made.

In the verb phrase "were formed", were is the linking verb describing condition while formed is an action verb.