[Grammar] Passive Voice queries

[HobNob007]

Hello to all

Please can somebody confirm if the following example sentences are in the Passive Voice ? I am in a (friendly :-D) argument with someone about this.

Thanks

I was delighted with the weather
I was very stressed
I was frightened
Bikes are normally used to ...
Have you ever been confused ... ?

Tim

 

[meskete]

Nr. 4 is in the passive voice.
"I was delighted with…" - I'd say this is just a simple adjective as in: "I was happy…"
"I was stressed/frightened/confused" - it depends on what follows.
"I was very stressed etc." = "I was very nervous etc." - adjective
"I was frightened by my brother." meaning "My brother frightened me." - passive
Generally people agree that if we (can) use "by", it is in the passive voice, if we don't/can't or there's another preposition, it's an adjective.

 

[HobNob007]

Nr. 4 is in the passive voice.

"I was delighted with…" - I'd say this is just a simple adjective as in: "I was happy…"
"I was stressed/frightened/confused" - it depends on what follows.
"I was very stressed etc." = "I was very nervous etc." - adjective
"I was frightened by my brother." meaning "My brother frightened me." - passive
Generally people agree that if we (can) use "by", it is in the passive voice, if we don't/can't or there's another preposition, it's an adjective.

Thanks Meskete !! Expanding on the examples :-

I was stressed but now I'm not.
I was frightened and I didn't want to go.
Have you ever been confused between right and wrong?


I knew that adding "by" and the changing of the emphasis between subject and object would change the voice, but wasn't sure on regular "subject + 'to be' + past participle' sentences such as these above. Appreciate the help you have given me.

Tim