especially

especially — adverb

1. used when you want to say that something applies to one case, person, or thing m

1.副詞A2
釋義

used when you want to say that something applies to one case, person, or thing more strongly than it does to others that are similar

例句

Lakan especially enjoys cooking Thai dishes on weekend evenings.

especially + verb for emphasis

The weather has been especially hot this summer, so the beaches are full every day.

同義詞
  • particularly

    very close in meaning; 'particularly' can sound slightly more formal in some contexts

  • notably

    used when highlighting something striking or remarkable; more formal than 'especially'

  • above all

    stronger emphasis — means 'most importantly' rather than simply 'more than others'

反義詞
  • generally

    broadly or without singling out any specific case

  • broadly

    considering a wide range rather than one particular aspect

文法句型

especially + adjective

especially + verb

especially + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in both spoken and written English. Can go before the word it modifies (directly before an adjective or verb) or before a noun phrase that the speaker wants to single out.

常見錯誤

❌This book is very especially good.
✅This book is especially good.
💡'very' and 'especially' both act as intensifiers; using them together is redundant.

2. used when you do something with one specific person, purpose, or occasion in min

2.副詞B1
釋義

used when you do something with one specific person, purpose, or occasion in mind, rather than doing it for any general reason

例句

Femi bought a new suit especially for his sister's wedding ceremony.

especially + for [person/event] to show purpose

Emre took a day off work especially to help his parents move house.

especially + to-infinitive to express specific purpose

同義詞
  • specially

    nearly identical in meaning for this sense; 'specially' is more common in everyday British English, while American English prefers 'especially' for both senses

  • specifically

    emphasises the exact or precise nature of the purpose; slightly more formal

  • expressly

    formal; indicates the purpose was clearly stated or clearly intended

反義詞
  • generally

    without a specific purpose or target in mind

文法句型

especially + for + noun / pronoun

especially + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 2, 'especially' always relates to the purpose or intention behind an action. If you can replace 'especially' with 'in order to' or 'for the specific purpose of', you are using sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌I made this especially for you, but I also like it a lot.' (when you mean you like it more than other things)
✅I made this especially for you, and I especially like the chocolate topping.
💡first 'especially' = sense 2 (purpose), second 'especially' = sense 1 (degree).
❌This gift is especially for you because you are especially my best friend.
✅This gift is especially for you because you are my best friend.
💡'especially my best friend' is ungrammatical; use 'especially' with a verb (especially like/love/admire) or adjective, not directly before a noun in that way.