Passive voice

[renatofox]

My friends, I really need some healp to clarify things about what I have learned concerning to passive voice. I know that the main rule in passive voice formation is the structure (to be + past participle), but can I consider a sentence like this (Joe is married) as being an example of passive voice.
This doubt was brought up by some divergences among the examples showed by one of the books we use in the school where I'm currently working at.
I thank you all beforehand for being kind enough to write a reply to this quest of mine.
RenatoFox

 

[RonBee]

The sentence "Joe is married" is not in the passive voice. True, "Joe" is not really doing anything. Instead, that sentence expresses a state of being. However, Joe (the subject) is doing the acting and is not being acted upon.

 

[engee30]

The sentence "Joe is married" is not in the passive voice. True, "Joe" is not really doing anything. Instead, that sentence expresses a state of being. However, Joe (the subject) is doing the acting and is not being acted upon.

The answer to the poster's question could be even simpler - married acts as the adjective there.
:-D

 

[banderas]

The answer to the poster's question could be even simpler - married acts as the adjective there.
:-D

you just added some more info to what RonBee said, didn't you? And the asking person can benefit more from both answers;-)

 

[susiedqq]

Joe was married by the pastor.

 

[engee30]

Joe was married by the pastor.

This is the egg-cellent example of the verb marry used in the passive voice. :up:

Just to clarify the meaning of the sentence to some who may not know who did what: Joe didn't marry the pastor, nor did pastor marry Joe. The pastor was the person who announced Joe and his then wife-to-be husband and wife, and who carried the whole marriage ceremony.