but especially

USAGE SUMMARY

"but especially" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to emphasize one thing more than another. For example, "I like all ice cream flavors, but especially mint chocolate chip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, especially, don't ask.

The New Yorker

But especially technology.

The New Yorker

But especially ≠ exclusively.

The New Yorker

But especially vegetables.

Harvard University

But especially sex.

The New Yorker

"But especially here".

The New York Times

"That's anywhere, but especially in Pakistan".

The New York Times

"But especially not the music.

The Guardian - Music

Ever loved, but especially on our anniversary.

The New York Times

"Maybe not everywhere, but especially by schools".

The Guardian

Everything was delicious, but especially the meat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but especially" to draw attention to a specific element within a broader context, indicating its heightened importance or relevance. Ensure that the items being compared belong to the same category or are logically related.

Common error

Avoid using "but especially" to compare elements that are not logically related or do not belong to the same category. This can lead to confusion and weaken the intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but especially" functions as an emphasizing conjunction. It connects two parts of a sentence while highlighting a specific element as being more important or noteworthy than others. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a correct and usable conjunction in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but especially" is a correct and commonly used conjunction phrase for emphasizing specific elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It serves to highlight a preference or particular item within a broader context, as demonstrated by numerous examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral registers and should be used with logically related elements. Remember that similar phrases include "in particular" and "most notably" for a subtler touch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

especially though

Changes the position of 'though' to emphasize the special thing.

in particular

Draws attention to a specific item within a larger group or category.

most notably

Highlights a specific element as being particularly significant or noteworthy.

more specifically

Narrows down a general statement to a more precise or particular focus.

particularly though

Replaces "especially" with "though", indicating a specific focus while acknowledging other elements.

primarily however

Emphasizes a main focus while still acknowledging other aspects or elements.

specifically but

Inverts the original phrase to shift the emphasis slightly while retaining the core meaning.

however mainly

Uses "mainly" to emphasize a primary focus, similar to "especially".

chiefly though

Highlights a principal or main element, while acknowledging secondary elements.

above all

Indicates the highest importance or preference for a particular element.

FAQs

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

Use "but especially" to emphasize one item or aspect over others within a similar group. For example, "I enjoy all fruits, "but especially" mangoes" highlights mangoes as a preferred fruit.

What phrases are similar to "but especially"?

Alternatives include "in particular", "most notably", or "above all". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but especially"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is sometimes discouraged, using "but especially" at the beginning can be effective for emphasis, particularly in informal writing. However, ensure it connects logically to the previous sentence or context.

What is the difference between "but especially" and "especially"?

"Especially" highlights something as particularly important or significant. "But especially" does the same but also implies a contrast with other things in the same category. For instance, "I like dogs, "but especially" golden retrievers" suggests a preference among dog breeds.