English Practice & Support

QUESTION: What is the difference between the words ESPECIALLY and SPECIALLY?

ANSWER:

There are three members in this group, SPECIAL, SPECIALLY, and ESPECIALLY. The word ESPECIAL does not exist.

The word SPECIAL is an adjective, and it means different from the normal or usual.

This is my SPECIAL pen.

ESPECIALLY and SPECIALLY are both adverbs, but are used in different ways.

Especially means particularly or above all.

I love pasta, ESPECIALLY spaghetti.

SPECIALLY is used to talk about the specific purpose of something.

This book was SPECIALLY written for girls.

ESPECIALLY can also be used to mean for a particular purpose.

I bought these ESPECIALLY for you.