in special to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in special to" is not correct in standard written English.
You may be trying to express a specific focus or emphasis on something, but the correct phrase would be "in particular to" or "especially regarding." Example: "I want to draw attention in particular to the importance of teamwork in our project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Electrical simulation results obtained for several loads agree with the theory, enabling the proposed method to any impedance measurement problem, in special, to bio-setups including electrodes.

Microelectronics Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Choose "Check-in Special" to let the Foursquare users participate in checking in at your business.

WikiHow

Select the Check-in Special to reward every Foursquare user who checks in at your business.

WikiHow

Offer move-in specials to attract new tenants.

WikiHow

The World Food Program and Unicef need to bring in special foods to keep children from suffering lasting physical and mental damage, or worse.

The New York Times

Never mind that Clinton-style "reform" had failed to rein in special interests.

Huffington Post

An alternative to full-scale invasion or bombing is to send in special forces to protect the stockpiles.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Connecticut State Legislature meets in special session to consider ways to close a $300 million budget deficit.

The New York Times

The governor announced last week that the Legislature will have to meet in special session to address the issue.

The New York Times

The Republican-dominated Legislature is in special session to name electors itself, almost certainly pledged to Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

Her school went from being in special measures to outstanding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to emphasize a particular aspect or target, substitute "in special to" with grammatically sound alternatives such as "in particular to" or "especially for" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid directly translating phrases from other languages where "special" might be used with "to". In English, "special" typically pairs with prepositions like "for" or is used in phrases like "in particular". Always double-check prepositional pairings to prevent grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in special to" is typically intended as a prepositional phrase, but its structure is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig indicates this issue, recommending alternative formulations for accurate communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in special to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig confirms, it's best to replace it with alternatives like "in particular to" or "especially for" to ensure clarity and accuracy. While examples of its usage can be found, especially in Science, News & Media and Wiki, these instances do not legitimize its use. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to maintain credibility and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in particular to

This is a grammatically correct alternative that emphasizes specificity or focus on a certain aspect. It serves as a direct replacement, prioritizing grammatical accuracy.

especially for

This alternative highlights a particular suitability or purpose, altering the original's implied intent slightly but maintaining a similar emphasis.

specifically for

Similar to "especially for", this option denotes a design or intention geared towards a specific purpose or recipient, modifying the tone of the phrase.

particularly for

This offers a formal way to indicate that something is especially relevant to a specific context or purpose, carrying a nuance of sophisticated focus.

with respect to

This phrase introduces a consideration or topic that one is addressing, changing the focus to a more relational aspect, and implies careful consideration.

regarding

A concise option used to indicate the subject of discussion or concern, streamlining the original expression for efficient communication.

concerning

This option shifts the focus to matters under consideration or investigation, modifying the original phrase to address potential issues.

as it pertains to

A formal phrase used to indicate relevance or connection, adjusting the tone to suit discussions requiring accuracy and precision.

in relation to

This phrase introduces a comparison or correlation, redirecting the original's focus towards illustrating a contextual relationship.

relevant to

This alternative denotes direct pertinence to a subject, modifying the original to emphasize applicability and topical alignment.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "in special to"?

Instead of "in special to", use phrases like "in particular to", "especially for", or "specifically for" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

When can I use "in special to" in a sentence?

The phrase "in special to" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's best to avoid it and opt for more accepted alternatives like "with respect to" or "relevant to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference in meaning between "in special to" and "in particular to"?

While "in special to" is grammatically incorrect, "in particular to" is a standard phrase used to emphasize a specific aspect or focus. Using the latter ensures clarity and correctness in your writing.

What are some formal alternatives to "in special to"?

For formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "as it pertains to", "in relation to", or "regarding" to maintain a professional and precise tone.