Grammar for IELTS: Especially vs Specially Exercises

Apr 19, 2022

Candidates might have come across these two words a number of times. They might lack the exact knowledge about using these two words. This will lead to difficulties in IELTS examination for the concerned candidates. The correct and incorrect way of using especially and specially have been mentioned below. This will help establish effective understanding between these two words and further strengthen the candidates IELTS vocabulary skills.

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Especially vs Specially

Candidates will come across a number of approaches that define these two words on the internet. Understanding the difference between especially and specially is necessary for the improvement of IELTS vocabulary. In the sections below, both the words have been addressed in detail:

Especially
Pronunciation: \is-ˈpesh-lē, -ˈpe-shə-\
Meaning: Usually, especially means ‘particularly’ and especially means ‘for a particular purpose’.

for a particular purpose
more than usually

For example:

I love Italian food, especially pasta, (not specially pasta)
a car specially designed for cities

Specially
Pronunciation: \ˈspe-sh(ə-)lē\
Meaning:

for a special purpose
to a special or unusual degree

For example:

We specially designed the room for movie nights
She doesn’t want to be treated specially.

Usage of Especially and Specially

Candidates need to understand that specially is mostly used with adjectives from a past participle, for example:

specially designed / trained / prepared etc.

Moreover, specially isn’t utilised in the beginning of a sentence or a phrase. Candidates should strictly stop framing sentences with the word specially at the beginning of it, for example, a specially-built stadium. Below is an example of how specially is used appropriately in a sentence;

The stadium was built specially for the Olympic Games, (built for that purpose).

Especially on the other hand is used at the beginning of a phrase often accompanied by a comma or before a verb. However, it is not used at the beginning of the sentence. Below mentioned is an example that highlights usage of especially;

There’s been a lot of flooding, especially in the south.
I especially liked the big balcony, (not Especially I liked….)

Especially is also used as an adjective to emphasis on something. Below mentioned is an example:

The chocolate cake was especially good.(very good, better than the other cakes)

Exercises

Tick the correct sentence in each pair.

a. Traffic congestion is a serious problem, specially in big cities,
b. Traffic congestion is a serious problem, especially in big cities.

Answer: b. Traffic congestion is a serious problem, especially in big cities.
Explanation: The answer is b because an emphasis is being placed on the word cities. The sentence above is trying to portray that traffic congestion is majorly a critical challenge in big cities.

a. The police especially want to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack,
b. Especially, the police want to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack.

Answer: a. The police especially want to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack.
Explanation: The above mentioned statement is trying to portray emphasis upon the fact that police want to engage individuals that are an eye-witness to the attack. Thus, option a is the correct answer.

Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct any that are wrong.

Is it just me or is It specially cold today?_____

Answer: Incorrect.
Explanation: The correct sentence will be Is it just me or is It especially cold today? Since, the statement is trying to highlight a general situation for an individual, specially will be replaced with especially.

I don’t like driving at night specially if it’s raining_____

Answer: Incorrect
Explanation: I don’t like driving at night, especially if it’s raining will be the correct sentence. The reason behind this is, the above mentioned statement is trying to convey that an individual isn’t comfortable driving on a rainy night.

Especially women should be careful when travelling alone______

Answer: Incorrect
Explanation: the above sentence is to be re-written as; women should be careful especially when travelling alone.

I drive a car which especially Is designed for disabled drivers______

Answer: Incorrect
Explanation: I drive a car which is specially designed for disabled drivers. The statement is trying to convey the form factor of a vehicle that is solemnly designed for disabled individuals.

These exhibits were especially popular among children_______

Answer: Correct
Explanation: These exhibits were especially popular among children is the correct statement.

The police use specially-trained dogs to search for drugs_______

Answer: Incorrect
Explanation: The police use specially-trained dogs to search for drugs. This the correct statement as the dogs are trained specifically for this purpose.

Especially the museum Is renowned for its collection of modern art_______

Answer: Incorrect
Explanation: The museum Is especially renowned for its collection of modern art. Since especially cannot be used in the beginning of a sentence, thus, the stratemnet is question is incorrect.