especially him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "especially him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a particular person in a context where others are also being considered, often highlighting their significance or importance. Example: "Everyone enjoyed the party, especially him, as he was the life of the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"How I hated all white people, especially him," she continued.

The New York Times

"I never really yap at anybody, especially him, he's so big," Brodeur said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just didn't want anyone to interpret it wrong, especially him.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't like any manager – especially him – to be sent off.

The Guardian - Sport

Especially him: the hat suggests Al Capone; the overcoat, Yohji Yamamoto.

The New York Times - Arts

"I love his personality, especially him being a tight end on the offensive side of the ball.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

A couple of them who especially liked him called him Soup, after his old screen-name soupnazi.

The New York Times - Magazine

Be sure to let him know, though, if there is something you would especially like him to be involved in.

WikiHow

One perfect gift for him can be a poem or a song which you have personally written especially for him.

WikiHow

Nouvelle cuisine especially impressed him.

The Economist

Snow especially fascinates him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "especially him" to clearly single out an individual for emphasis, whether it's for praise, blame, or special consideration. This helps to avoid ambiguity when discussing groups.

Common error

Avoid using "especially him" when you actually intend to say "especially he". "Him" is an object pronoun, so it should not be used as a subject. For example, instead of saying "Especially him and I went to the store", say "Especially he and I went to the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "especially him" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize that a particular action, feeling, or characteristic applies to the person denoted by "him" to a greater degree than to others. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "especially him" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to emphasize a particular person within a group. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news and media contexts. When using the expression, consider alternatives like "particularly him" for a slightly more formal tone. Avoid using it as a subject and ensure its use as an adverbial modifier to maintain grammatical accuracy. The examples provided confirm it as a way to highlight individuals for distinct treatment or focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly him

Replaces "especially" with "particularly", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the emphasis on the individual.

specifically him

Indicates that the focus is directed at him and no one else.

notably him

Uses "notably" to highlight the individual's distinction or importance in a given context.

in particular, him

Adds a slight pause or emphasis before mentioning the individual.

with emphasis on him

Explicitly states that the focus is especially on him.

primarily him

Emphasizes that he is the main or most important one being considered.

mainly him

Suggests that he is the principal person affected or concerned.

above all, him

Highlights that he is being prioritized over everyone else.

chiefly him

Implies he is the most important or prominent one.

primarily targeting him

Shifts the focus to the act of targeting, implying an action directed at him.

FAQs

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

You can use "especially him" to emphasize a person within a group, as in, "Everyone enjoyed the party, "especially him", because he loves dancing".

What are some alternatives to "especially him"?

Some alternatives include "particularly him", "notably him", or "specifically him", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "especially him" formal or informal?

"Especially him" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "particularly him" might be preferred in very formal settings.

Can I use "especially him" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "especially him" is less common. It's generally better to structure the sentence to include a broader subject and then use ""especially him"" to emphasize the individual within that context.