an especially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an especially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic of something that stands out in a notable way. Example: "She has an especially keen eye for detail, which makes her an excellent editor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tularemia is an especially difficult case.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was not an especially lovable man.

The New York Times - Books

Mossberg is not an especially daunting presence.

The New Yorker

I recall an especially convincing installment.

The New Yorker

It requires an especially close reading.

The New York Times

The "where" is an especially interesting question.

The New York Times

He wasn't an especially skilled mechanic.

The New Yorker

Carter has had an especially difficult week.

The New York Times - Sports

It has an especially sinister history.

The New Yorker

Twitter is an especially vexing new tool.

The New York Times - Tech

But it was an especially busy period.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an especially" to highlight a specific attribute or quality that is particularly significant or noticeable. It adds emphasis and draws attention to the point you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "an especially" too frequently in your writing. Overusing it can weaken its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an especially" functions as an intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic. It highlights something that stands out in a notable way. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an especially" is a versatile phrase used to intensify adjectives and adverbs, thereby highlighting specific qualities or characteristics. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical function is to emphasize particular aspects, making them more prominent. It is commonly found in news and media sources, as well as academic writing, and is suitable for neutral registers. While it is effective for adding emphasis, avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider using synonyms such as "a particularly" or "an exceptionally" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particularly

Replaces "especially" with "particularly", offering a similar level of emphasis with a slightly different tone.

an exceptionally

Replaces "especially" with "exceptionally", emphasizing something that is outside the norm or better than usual.

a notably

Substitutes "especially" with "notably", focusing on something that is worthy of being noted or observed.

a remarkably

Replaces "especially" with "remarkably", highlighting something that is worthy of attention or comment.

a strikingly

Substitutes "especially" with "strikingly", focusing on something that is noticeable or remarkable.

a uniquely

Substitutes "especially" with "uniquely", focusing on something that doesn't have an equal or is very rare.

a markedly

Replaces "especially" with "markedly", highlighting a difference that is easily noticeable.

a singularly

Replaces "especially" with "singularly", emphasizing that something is of a unique or exceptional character.

a decidedly

Substitutes "especially" with "decidedly", indicating something is undoubtedly the case.

a conspicuously

Replaces "especially" with "conspicuously", highlighting that something is clearly visible or noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "an especially" in a sentence?

Use "an especially" to emphasize a particular characteristic or quality. For example, "This is "an especially important" issue" highlights the significance of the issue.

What are some alternatives to "an especially"?

You can use alternatives like "a particularly", "a notably", or "an exceptionally" depending on the context. For instance, instead of "an especially difficult task", you could say "a particularly difficult task".

Is it redundant to say "especially unique"?

Saying "especially unique" can be redundant since "unique" already implies being one of a kind. It's better to just use "unique" or find another way to emphasize it, such as "a truly unique".

How does "an especially" differ from "especially" used alone?

"An especially" is used before an adjective to intensify it. "Especially" can also be used as an adverb to mean 'particularly'. For example, "I like all fruits, especially apples" means you like apples in particular, while "an especially delicious apple" emphasizes how delicious that particular apple is.