[mesmark]

I don't think it's frowned upon in the States, at least not where I've lived. There may be times when the active form sounds better, it just depends on whether you want to express who did it (active) or what happened (pasive.) I know in textbook examples they are often forced. They try to get as many sentences in the target language as possible and therefore you end up with an unnatural string of sentences.


"This book was written in 1838."
"I was stung out in the field."
"My steak was overcooked."

These above could all be changed to active sentences but then the focal point would shift to the actor and not be placed on the action.