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How to Use 'Especially' and 'Specially'

Question
What are the meanings of especially and specially? — Ezekiel , United States
Answer

The meanings of specially and especially are very similar, so it can be hard to figure out which one you should use. Specially means “for a special reason” or “to a special or unusual degree.” Especially means “more than usually” or “for a particular purpose or person.”

Below are a few rules to follow that will help you use specially and especially correctly:

Use especially to mean “more than usually” or “very” or “extremely,” as in these examples:

  • There is nothing especially radical about that idea. 
  • The food was not especially good. 

 

Use especially when something stands out from all the others, and you mean “particularly,” as in these examples: 

  • She can't be sure she will win, especially at this early stage of the campaign. 
  • The appetizers and especially the soup were delicious. 

 

When you mean “for a special reason,” you can use either especially or specially. They are both correct. 

  • The speech was written especially/specially for the occasion. 
  • The sweater was made especially/specially for her.

 

When you mean “in a special manner”, as in this example below, use specially.

  • I don't want to be treated specially.
  • I don't want to be treated especially

 

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