Specially or Especially?

Posted by: Josef Essberger

Many people wonder if there is a difference between the adverbs “specially” and “especially”. Even native speakers aren’t always sure how to use them. In some cases they can actually mean the same thing, especially in informal speech. However, for the sake of simplicity, here are the basic differences between the two words. specially: for […]

Many people wonder if there is a difference between the adverbs “specially” and “especially”. Even native speakers aren’t always sure how to use them. In some cases they can actually mean the same thing, especially in informal speech. However, for the sake of simplicity, here are the basic differences between the two words.

specially: for a particular purpose:

• I made this cake specially for Mary.

especially:

1. particularly, above all:

• I hate my teachers, especially Mr Cain.

2. very:

• That was an especially good meal.

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Posted by Josef Essberger September 2010
Contributor: Josef Essberger, founder of EnglishClub. Originally from London, England, Josef is the author of several books for learners of English including English Prepositions List and Learn English in 7.

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39 comments

• Tomas says:
  

  I really appreciate for the explanation. As you said, even the native speaker, have problem sometime with the correct use of specially and especially. Thank very much!

• banga says:
  

  thank you for that detail,it will be usefull for me

• asmah says:
  

  ok i got it the point after reading juneth sentence

• khalid says:
  

  i m new student of english club and i realy like

• Felix Forand says:
  

  Your explanations were also very clear.
  I’m an ESL teacher, and I will use them to teach it to my students.

• Felix Forand says:
  

  Thank you very much.
  It was a very helpful grammar tip.
  I did not pay attention to it before, but now I will.

• nikunj says:
  

  Thank you very much. I never gave attantion on this differance before. .

• Akib says:
  

  Thanks.

• batyy says:
  

  thank you JOE

• juneth says:
  

  great! this morning i washed myself really clean, especially my hair. i washed my hair specially for the party.
  thank you, thank you!

• Kanika says:
  

  Nice explanation.. Thanks for making this concept clear !!

• Mehmet says:
  

  Yesterday I made a special my mom.
  Especially I hate this girl cause always makes me sick.

• nida says:
  

  I was really confused about that lately.

  Thanks a lot!

• ANU says:
  

  so good

• sama says:
  

  I’m wonder

  I know that now for the first time

• Nazie says:
  

  I got impressed,I’d never paid attention to this point.
  so useful thanks

• muhammad gumilang says:
  

  thank a lot, but i want more sample tobe more clearly.

• liza says:
  

  thanks a lot… I thought there is no difference in using those words.

• Fe says:
  

  Thanks. Now, I am sure where and how to use appropriately the two English words.

• jenny says:
  

  Thanks., Now i know how to use those words. i thought its the same hehe =)

• small eyes says:
  

  thanks a lot

• mat hi says:
  

  many thanks!i dont know it before

• Mohamed Mohamed says:
  

  What a useful note! Idon’t know how to thank you about your efforts.

• Ahmed says:
  

  i don’t know these in the past.

• Ana Isabel says:
  

  Dear Mr Joe
  I always had a confusion when I wanted to use “specially” or “especially” and had to use the dictionary and try to adapt this word, but now I’m sure when use each one of them.

  All your notes are very important and practical.

  Thanks a lot for your help. I have learnt so much

  Sincerily
  Ana Isabel

• Shalva says:
  

  It’s very interested.

• phoebe says:
  

  i have been using these words a lot without focusing of the meaning. and now, it’s been clearer to me.

• Sarath says:
  

  Tose who use English as secondory laungage may always need a gudence to get the correct understanding in many cases like this.
  Thanks you Sir.

• Sangita says:
  

  The differences between these words are very clear. Thank you very much !!!

• Aarti says:
  

  Thanks a ton for clearing the doubt. it is much clearer now.

• Niar says:
  

  Thanks alot Joe, now I can see them clearly.

• sandeep says:
  

  Thanks a lot for helping us in English language !

• Miss.Sara says:
  

  It’s a simple difference and great advantage.
  I am appreciating your evort to make English more clearly and easily for all.
  Many thanks Sir.

• chau175 says:
  

  Thank you very much..!It is useful for me.

• tuan nguyen says:
  

  thank you. it is useful for me. i often use them in confusing.but now when i read yours , i am sure i can not use wrongly . many thanks.

• HELMI says:
  

  thx Joe,

  i understand it more clearly now.

  i’m a new comer and learner of english.

  i’m from Indonesia.

• Le Phuc says:
  

  They sound like they have the same meaning (for example when we translate into our Vietnamese language, both have the same meaning words), but we can image them in each case when we talk about it, so we’ll won’t get mistake.

• monika says:
  

  Thank you for making it clear to me.
  Nice job!

• Hong T Nhan, Vietnam says:
  

  it’s cool, Joe! I have used these words right a lot so far. However not until now have I had a clear idea about them.