especially as

USAGE SUMMARY

"especially as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a particular point or to introduce a fact that supports an argument or opinion. For example, "We should focus on improving public transportation, especially as more people are moving to cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Especially as they're imaginary.

The Guardian

Especially as a villain.

The Guardian - Books

Especially as Bill Clinton had been president.

The Guardian - Books

Especially as he's not even fuckin' Welsh!

The Guardian - Music

Me especially, as the oldest child.

The Guardian - Music

Especially as [a firebombing] has already happened".

The Guardian - Music

"Nuke," especially as a verb, does not.

The New Yorker

"It was brilliant – especially as we won.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes a protein misfolds sporadically, especially as people get older.

The New York Times

Carrying yourself well, especially as a female, is important.

The Guardian

"Especially as I'm appropriating other people's words without their permission.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "especially as", ensure that the clause following it provides a clear and direct explanation for the preceding statement.

Common error

Avoid using "especially as" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise causal conjunctions like "primarily due to" or "chiefly because" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially as" functions as a causal conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that provides a specific and emphasized reason for the main clause. It clarifies and reinforces the preceding statement by offering a particularly relevant explanation, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sport

14%

Film

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "especially as" is a commonly used causal conjunction that effectively introduces a specific and emphasized reason for a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As evidenced by the variety of examples provided by Ludwig, it is predominantly found in news and media contexts, with significant presence in sports and film. When aiming for precision in more formal writing, consider more direct alternatives such as "primarily due to" or "chiefly because". Using "especially as" correctly will enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing by highlighting the most relevant justifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly because

Emphasizes the reason more directly than "especially as".

mainly since

Focuses on the temporal aspect and the primary reason.

primarily due to

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship more explicitly.

largely because

Indicates that the reason is a major contributing factor.

mostly as a result of

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of something.

notably considering that

Adds a sense of importance or worthiness to the reason.

specifically given that

Highlights the specificity and relevance of the reason.

in particular as

Similar meaning but slightly more formal.

chiefly on the grounds that

Formal and emphasizes the justification for something.

principally by reason of

Very formal and stresses the underlying cause.

FAQs

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

Use "especially as" to introduce a reason that particularly emphasizes or clarifies a previous statement. For instance, "We need to improve our marketing strategy, "especially as" the competition is getting fiercer".

What are some alternatives to "especially as"?

Alternatives include "particularly because", "mainly since", or "primarily due to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "especially as" in formal writing?

While "especially as" is grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "primarily because" or "chiefly because" for greater precision.

What's the difference between "especially as" and "because"?

"Because" provides a general reason, while "especially as" introduces a reason that is particularly significant or noteworthy. "We need to act now because the situation is urgent" vs. "We need to act now, "especially as" the deadline is tomorrow".