especially amusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially amusing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is particularly funny or entertaining in a given context. Example: "The comedian's latest routine was especially amusing, leaving the audience in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Then the amuse-bouche began to land on the tables, and they were especially amusing.

The New York Times

It also wasn't especially amusing when she did exactly that.

The Guardian

The music at Greenwich is wittily chosen, with Blur's Parklife and the Rolling Stones's Wild Horses especially amusing.

The Guardian - Sport

In one especially amusing picture, Zissou floats in an aquatic vessel of his own invention -- an inflated tire tube with waders attached.

The New York Times - Arts

The thought that the light artist James Turrell might be inside the crater, working on his interminable construction, makes this video especially amusing.

The New York Times - Arts

Especially amusing is Mr. Bechtolf's playful way with Guglielmo's aria extolling how well built and physically attractive he and his fellow soldier Ferrando are; as Guglielmo sings, Ferrando illustrates by showing off his muscles, moustache and even his nose.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's a royal pain to get to (about two hours by plane from the capital and then a spine-crunching, three-hour drive), but its access to lemurs — and especially the amusing dancing lemurs — is unrivaled.

The New York Times - Travel

The songs are actually quite catchy and amusing, especially when sung by Wiig and Rudolph.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But Mr. Shahid opts to continue the conversation; he finds provocation endlessly amusing, especially sexual provocation.

The New York Times

I find name-droppers amusing, especially when their fame-bombs are lesser lights: local TV weathermen or Totie Fields.

The New York Times

The cultural juxtaposition is inherently amusing, especially when the producers make unexpected choices to illustrate American culture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "especially amusing" to highlight elements that are significantly more humorous or entertaining than others within a context. It adds emphasis, guiding the audience's attention to what's particularly enjoyable.

Common error

While "especially amusing" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations where the humor genuinely stands out, and consider alternatives like "particularly noteworthy" when emphasis is needed without focusing on amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially amusing" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "amusing". According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable to emphasize the degree to which something is funny or entertaining. This is evident in the provided examples, which showcase diverse contexts from news to arts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Arts

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "especially amusing" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to emphasize the humorous or entertaining nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as arts-related content. While suitable for many situations, it's important to consider the formality of the writing and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "particularly funny" or "especially hilarious" can offer nuanced variations. The phrase serves to highlight elements that stand out as particularly funny, enriching the communication with a clear emphasis on amusement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly funny

Replaces 'especially' with 'particularly', maintaining the emphasis on amusement.

especially hilarious

Substitutes 'amusing' with 'hilarious', intensifying the degree of funniness.

particularly entertaining

Replaces 'amusing' with 'entertaining', broadening the scope to include enjoyment beyond just humor.

especially comical

Uses 'comical' instead of 'amusing', suggesting a focus on situations that are funny due to their absurdity.

exceptionally funny

Replaces 'especially' with 'exceptionally', indicating an unusual degree of funniness.

decidedly amusing

Uses 'decidedly' to emphasize the clear and obvious nature of the amusement.

particularly droll

Employs 'droll' instead of 'amusing', suggesting a dry or understated sense of humor.

uncommonly amusing

Substitutes 'especially' with 'uncommonly', highlighting the rarity of the amusement.

singularly amusing

Uses 'singularly' to indicate a unique or distinctive amusement.

unusually amusing

Replaces 'especially' with 'unusually', pointing out that the amusement is beyond the norm.

FAQs

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

You can use "especially amusing" to describe something that is particularly funny or entertaining, such as "The comedian's routine was "especially amusing", causing the audience to laugh uncontrollably".

What are some alternatives to "especially amusing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "particularly funny", "especially hilarious", or "particularly entertaining".

Is it appropriate to use "especially amusing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "especially amusing" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "particularly noteworthy" or "especially significant" if you want to avoid focusing on humor.

What's the difference between "especially amusing" and "slightly amusing"?

"Especially amusing" indicates something is very funny or entertaining, while "slightly amusing" suggests something is only mildly funny. The former emphasizes a high degree of amusement, while the latter indicates a low degree.