Both especially and specially are adverbs.
Especially means ‘in particular’, ‘particularly’, or ‘most of all’. We use especially to show that what you are saying applies more to one thing or situation than to others.
- I like food, but I especially like sandwiches.
- He’s often a little late, but he was especially late today.
- She looked especially beautiful that night.
- I like all of my friends, especially Mark.
- All of the rooms are dirty, especially the bathroom.
- Our baby cries a lot, especially when he is hungry.
- Dave and Mark like football. Dave, especially, watches lots of matches on TV.
- Mark: Do you want to live abroad? Jane: Yes, I would especially like to live in France.
When especially relates to the subject of a sentence, you put it immediately after the subject.
- Young babies, especially, are vulnerable to colds.
You can also use especially in front of an adjective to emphasize a characteristic or quality.
- I found her laugh especially annoying.
We use specially to say that something is done or made for a particular purpose.
- This sandwich was specially made.
- They had a chair specially designed for her size.
- The animals are specially trained to locate the mushrooms.
- I bought a bag specially for my computer.
- The suit was specially made for me.
- I went to New York specially to see the Statue of Liberty.
We can use both, especially and specially, when we refer to a ‘special purpose,’ or ‘specifically.’
- I bought this milk especially / specially for you.
- The speech was written especially / specially for the occasion.
Practice doing the mini-test at the end of the page.