instead

[ripley]

Hi,

I would like to know if the following sentence is correct:

The Italian Renaissance had a pagan outlook. Instead, the English one was much more interested in religious ideas.

Can I use instead in this way, making a comparison? If not, why?

Could I substitute it with "On the contrary" ?

I woulda rather say The Italian Renaissance had a pagan outlook, while/whereas the English one....

BUT I would like to Know if the sentence with INSTEAD is acceptable anyway.

Thanks

Rip.

[RonBee]

Hi,

I would like to know if the following sentence is correct:

The Italian Renaissance had a pagan outlook. Instead, the English one was much more interested in religious ideas.

Can I use instead in this way, making a comparison? If not, why?

Could I substitute it with "On the contrary" ?

I woulda rather say The Italian Renaissance had a pagan outlook, while/whereas the English one....

BUT I would like to Know if the sentence with INSTEAD is acceptable anyway.

Thanks

Rip.

The sentence is fine grammatically. However, I recommend against using it. That is because a renaissance is an intangible thing. It is neither an individual nor a group. It cannot have ideas. Perhaos:

The Italian Renaissance had a pagan outlook. On the contrary, the English one was based much more on religion.

All of your alternatives work fine.