We will look at how to use the very useful word 'especially'. It is used to make something stand out from other things.
Positive
Example 1
I like all ice cream but especially chocolate.
This means that all ice cream is liked but chocolate is liked more than the others.
Example 2
I love fruit, especially apples and pears.
This means that fruit is loved, but apples and pears are loved more than the others.
Example 3
People watch horror films all year, but especially in the autumn.
This means autumn is the season when most horror films are watched.
Example 4
It rains especially hard in Delhi in July, August and September.
Example 5
It's important to eat healthily, especially when you're ill.
When you are ill is the most important time to eat healthily.
Example 6
London is a very busy city but especially in the summer when there are lots of tourists.
In the summer London is very busy, whereas it's busy other times of the year.
Negative (not especially)
Example 1
Do you like dogs?
Yes, but not especially.
This means that the person likes dogs but equally to other pets.
Example 2
It rains a lot in London but not especially hard in August.
This means that August is not an unusual month for rain fall in London.
Example 3
Do you like spicy food?
Not especially.
This means that the person does not like spicy food.
Real life conversations
A: Have you been up to much aside from work of late?
B: Not especially. Watching films and trying to read a few books.
'Not especially' is used because B had not done anything in particular / special.
A: It always rains at Mount Fuji, especially if I'm there.
When I'm at Mount Fuji it rains.
A: Summer holidays are expensive.
B: Very!
A: And Zoos are expensive.
B: Especially London zoo. Let me see if I can find a voucher.
A: Okay.
This means that London zoo is particularly expensive.
Discussion about a taxi journey someone needed to take.
A: How much more expensive did it turn out to be?
B: A stupid amount. 3000 lek vs about 200 lek.
A: That must have hurt. Especially for you.
B: It did hurt.
'Especially for you' means that the situation would have hurt for everyone but for 'B' it would have hurt more.
A: I've been meaning to ask you actually. What was that Beatles song I said I liked?
B: You liked them all...
A: No. There was one.
B: ...but especially 'And I love her'...I think.
A: Was it? I thought it was another slow one.
B: I'll think later.
This means that all the Beatles' songs are liked, but there was one in particular and that was 'And I love her'.
A: Everyone can agree it's too hot. Especially for a city.
Two people discussing the end of a TV show.
A: Yep, I agree. I liked the old man twist but didn't believe he'd turn back from getting on a plane.
B: Yeah what was that about! Especially if he was going to see is daughter, right?
A: I know!! He'd done all that to see her and then wanted revenge of sorts against this all powerful evil group. That will never go well.
B: Definitely not. Especially with that hair colour.
Write your own sentence in the comments.
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