Here's why:
* Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. They don't show an action. Examples: *be,* *become,* *seem,* *appear,* *feel,* *look,* *sound,* *taste,* *smell*.
* Verb phrases are made up of a main verb and one or more helping verbs. They express action or a state of being. Examples: *is running,* *has been eaten,* *will be completed*.
Here are some examples:
* She seems tired. (linking verb "seems" + adjective "tired")
* He is becoming a doctor. (linking verb "is becoming" + noun phrase "a doctor")
* The cake tastes delicious. (linking verb "tastes" + adjective "delicious")
* The children are playing happily. (linking verb "are" + verb phrase "playing happily")
In these examples, the verb phrase following the linking verb provides more information about the subject.