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especial(ly) and special(ly)

especially and specially​

Especially and specially can often both be used with the same meaning.

  • It was not (e)specially cold.

especially meaning ‘above all’​

Especially is often used to mean ‘above all’.

  • We play a lot of tennis, especially on Sundays.
  • The children are very noisy, especially when we have visitors.
  • I like all kinds of fruit, especially apples.

Especially follows a subject.

  • All my family like music. My father, especially, goes to as many concerts as he can. (not … Especially my father goes …)

especially before prepositions and conjunctions​

We prefer especially before prepositions and conjunctions.

  • We go skiing quite a lot, especially in February.
  • I drink a lot of coffee, especially when I’m working.

specially with past participles​

Specially is used with a past participle to mean ‘for a particular purpose’.

  • These shoes were specially made for me.
  • The song was specially written for his birthday.

especial and special​

The adjective especial is rare. We normally use special.

  • He took special trouble over his work.