[mesmark]

Patrick - I think it goes back to adding in 'by ...' When you do that, I'd agree that the active form sounds better.

What do BE members think about that?

"This book was written in 1838 by Mark."
"I was stung by a hornet out in the field ."
"My steak was overcooked by my mother."

[jammer113]

I don't think the passive voice is frowned upon in American English either. It's used all the time in conversational speech. In writing, it's also used, especially in certain scientific journals where the auther doesn't want to start every sentence with "I did... I started.. I caused..." but rather wants to focus on the experiment.

The problem is when students over-use or mis-use the passive voice. Teachers, in an attempt to stop this, tell students not to do it at all.