An explanation for intermediate to advanced English language learners explaining the word especially, specifically, and specially. This is the fifth lesson of the SkimaTalk course Misused and Misunderstood Words written by Michele W. Snider, SkimaTalk teacher and author of My Virtual English blog.

1. ESPECIALLY STRANGE
Use the word especially without sounding strange

2. MISUSED AND MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS
Lesson 1: Look, Watch, See
Lesson 2: Talking Naturally About Nature
Lesson 3: We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This!
Lesson 4: Get Married and Throw a Party
Lesson 5: Especially Strange Today's Lesson
Lesson 6: Are you Coming or Going?
Lesson 7: To and Fro with To and For
Lesson 8: A, An, The,or....?

3. LET'S BEGIN BY LOOKING AT THE DEFINITION
from Google search results

4. TWO MORE USES OF ESPECIALLY
1. Especially can mean for a particular purpose or person, or 2. Especially can be used as
an intensifier (to enhance the meaning of the word it is modifying). For example:
"Jenny's clothes were designed especially for her.
So, she looks especially great."
NOTE: Particularly can be substituted for all four uses of especially.
Try using "particularly" in the examples above and on the previous slide.

5. 4 USES: TO SINGLE OUT, EMPHASIZE, A SPECIAL
PURPOSE OR PERSON, OR AS "VERY MUCH"
Let's look at a misuse of the word especially:
"I enrolled to the University of Kyoto especially the Environmental Economics."
correction: "I enrolled at the University of Kyoto to study Environmental Economics."
Explanation of corrections: The original sentence mentions the location (where)the
student enrolled. Use “at” with a specific location, “in” with a program or course.
Another option is to mention the program first. Then the sentence becomes, “I enrolled
in the Environmental Economics program at Kyoto University."
continued...

6. EXAMPLES: TO SINGLE OUT,
TO EMPHASIZE
She wasn't in the habit of discussing such
things - especially with strangers. (single out)
I am especially worried about the team's
weak pitching. (emphasize)

7. EXAMPLES: A SPECIAL PERSON/PURPOSE,
TO MEAN "VERY MUCH"
This lab was designed especially for stem
cell research. (special purpose)
The pumpkin head costume was
especially strange. (very)

8. Look at the sentence we discussed earlier (above).
• Environmental Economics can’t be singled out of anything else mentioned in
the sentence. If the student had mentioned other courses they would be
taking then “especially” could have been used.
• It is correct to say, “Kyoto University has several programs which promote
ecological and economic well-being, especially Environmental Economics.”
In this case, the Environmental Economics program is being identified
(singled out) as an example. Do you see how the word “particularly” can be
substituted for “especially” in this new sentence?
• Can particularly be used in the first sentence?
• TIP: If you can't use "particularly" you can’t use especially.
"I enrolled in the Environmental Economics program at the
University of Kyoto."

9. " I have difficulty understanding them, especially on the phone."
“Especially I want to learn English.”
Look at the sentences below
How is "upbeat music" being singled out or emphasized? The sentence
doesn't tell us, does it? How can the sentence be improved?
“Especially I prefer listening to upbeat music.”
Is this sentence okay? (It is a lot like the first sentence on this page)
What can be done to improve the sentence?
Is this sentence okay? Can you substitute another synonym for
especially in this sentence? Try it!: particularly, usually, primarily

10. A SIMILAR WORD: SPECIFICALLY
Click to add text

11. SPECIFICALLY NOT ESPECIALLY
Look at the misuse of the word especially again:
"I enrolled to the University of Kyoto especially the Environmental Economics."
Especially doesn't work in the sentence, but specifically does:
"I enrolled at the University of Kyoto specifically for the Environmental
Economics (program)."
Especially can be confused with specifically.

12. ESPECIALLY OR SPECIFICALLY?
I like traveling ____by train.
Hint: (if you need one) Some answers may have more than one correct answer!
Especially is to single out, to emphasize, for a special purpose or person, or to mean "very
much."
Specifically means uniquely, precisely, or solely
*Explain to your teacher which meaning of especially or specifically are being used (complete
definitions are on slides 3, 4, and 10 ).
I'm here ____ to study.
My trainer said I ____
needed to strengthen my
core (muscles).
Choose the correct word:

13. One last thing! If you want to stress the distinctive purpose of
something, then special or specially is the word you are looking for.

14. DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Use these templates or create your own to make sentences
using especially, specifically, and specially.
I like food, _______ (noun). (single out)
It was an ______ good/bad (noun) . (emphasize)
The (noun) was made _______ to/for (verb+ing, or pronoun). (special purpose or person)
I am (not) ______ fond of (noun, verb+ing, or pronoun). (very)
I ______ asked them to (verb). (unambiguously =clearly, precisely)
Look for the _______ marked boxes. (in a unique manner)

15. This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk,
Inc., and author of
http://www.myvirtualenglish.com
That's it!
We hope you found
this especially helpful!