Distinguishing Between Especially & Specially

Especially vs Specially

Especially and Specially are two words that are often misused and mistakenly interchanged because many people do not see a difference between them. They think they are just different forms of the same word, but this is not the case. The word specially is used to mean ‘particularly,’ while especially is used to mean ‘above all’ or to single out one person or thing over all others. According to the Oxford dictionary, especially is much more common, occurring twenty times more frequently than specially in the Oxford English corpus.

Meaning of Especially

The word ‘especially’ is used to mean ‘above all.’ Consider the following sentences:

• This is especially true.
• Both of them are good, especially the first one.

In both sentences, especially is used to mean ‘above all.’ The first sentence means ‘this is true above all,’ and the second sentence means ‘both of them are good, the first one above all.’ In both cases, especially is used to single out one thing over all others. The word especially does not have a noun form and is primarily used as an adverb, although it can sometimes be used as an adjective.

Meaning of Specially

The word specially is used to mean ‘particularly.’ Consider the following sentences:

• This suit is specially made for him.
• This is specially prepared for the occasion.

In both sentences, specially is used to mean ‘particularly.’ The first sentence means ‘this suit is particularly made for him,’ and the second sentence means ‘this is particularly prepared for the occasion.’ In both cases, specially is used to indicate a special purpose. Specially is typically used as an adverb, often alongside a verb, as in the expression ‘specially prepared.’ The noun forms of specially are ‘specialization’ and ‘specialist.’

Differences Between Especially and Specially

• Specially is used to mean ‘particularly.’
• Especially is used to mean ‘above all’ and to single out one person or thing over all others.
• Both especially and specially are used as adverbs.
• The noun forms of specially are ‘specialization’ and ‘specialist.’

These are the differences between the two words.

Key Takeaways

• Especially means ‘above all’ and is used to single out one person or thing over all others.
• Specially means ‘particularly’ and is used to indicate a special purpose.
• Both words are adverbs, but only specially has noun forms (‘specialization’ and ‘specialist’).