Практическая грамматика

§ 22. The Passive Voice and the Nominal Predicate.
The combination to be+ Participle II can denote an action, in which case it is a simple predicate expressed by a verb in the Passive Voice. It can also denote a state, then it is a compound nominal predicate consisting of a link verb and a predicative.
It was very hot in the room because all the windows were
closed (nominal).
The door was closed at seven o’clock by the porter. (verbal)
The compound nominal predicate expressed by the verb to be and Participle II can be translated only by the verb быть+ краткое страдательное причастие. In the Present the Verb быть is not used.
The vase is broken. Ваза разбита.
When I came, the papers were signed and lay on the secretary's table.
Когда я пришел, документы были подписаны и лежали на столе секретаря.
It is sometimes difficult to discriminate between the verb to be+ Participle II as a simple predicate and as a compound nominal predicate.
1. We have the Passive Voice (simple predicate) in the following cases:
a) when the doer of the action is indicated (as a rule).
Other possibilities were considered by my colleagues.
They were thus introduced by Holly. (Galsworthy)
b) when there is an adverbial modifier of place, frequency and, as a rule, of time.
The whole affair was soon forgotten.
The library door was opened at midnight.
Good books are quickly sold.
He was arrested at the hotel.
c) when the verb is used in the Continuous or in the Perfect form.
What sort of research is being done, and who is doing it?
You can see that this glass has been used.
I’ve been turned out of the place were I live.
d) When the verb to be is associated with Participle II of non-terminative verbs like to love, to like, to respect, to honour, to hate:
He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy. (Austen)
She is loved by all her friends.
He was admired for his courage.