you were headed

[Maybo]

I'm watching a series called "Inventing Anna". In an episode, Anna booked a private flight and took her friends to a conference abroad.

In the scene, Anna and her friends were boarding a plane. Her friends thanked for the ride.
Anna replied, "It's nothing. you were headed there anyway. More the merrier"


Is "were headed" passive voice? If so, why was it used? Can I say "You were heading"?
Why was the past tense used? Can I say "You are heading"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Both the -ing and -ed forms are used with the verb "head" when it means "move towards". They're equally acceptable. See more HERE.

The past tense is used to show that she and her friends were already planning to go to the conference. All she's done is change the mode of transport.

 

[teechar]

Her friends thanked her for the ride.

Note that the verb "thank" is transitive.

Is "were headed" passive voice?

That's a good question, but the answer is: no.

If so, why was it used?

You can look at it as "were bound for". In other words, it's an adjective, not a verb.

Can I say "You were heading"?

Yes.

Why was the past tense used? Can I say "You are heading"?

See emsr2d2's comment above.