is special for

USAGE SUMMARY

"is special for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has been allocated specifically to a certain person, place, or thing. For example: "This room is special for celebrating the holidays with family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is there a particular track on this album that is special for you? A. The one from New Orleans.

The New York Times - Arts

"Miami is special for that.

The Guardian - Music

2014 is special for many reasons.

The Guardian

"This is special for me," he told the crowd.

The New York Times

"I know this is special for him," del Potro said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The No 7 is special for Manchester United.

Independent

Tonight is special for two reasons, he tells us.

The Guardian - Music

"This is special for me," Elias said of scoring record.

The New York Times - Sports

"This place is special for local people," he explains.

The Guardian - Travel

Jose Mourinho is special, for me he's the best coach in the world.

Independent

America is special for reasons more fundamental than its economic and military might.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is special for" to highlight a unique attribute or designated purpose, ensuring the context clearly identifies what makes it distinct.

Common error

Avoid using "is special for" when "is important for" or "is useful for" would be more appropriate; reserve it for situations where unique designation or attribute is central to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is special for" functions as a linking verb connecting a subject with a predicate adjective that describes a particular quality or purpose. It denotes that something possesses unique attributes or a specific designation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is special for" is used to emphasize the unique attributes or designated purpose of something. Grammatically correct and commonly used across varied contexts like news, science, and general writing, it effectively highlights distinct qualities. According to Ludwig, "is special for" indicates that a subject possess particular feature. When writing, it's important to ensure the use is specific and avoid overuse in generic situations where "is important for" would suffice. Understanding and applying these nuances ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unique to

Indicates something exclusively belonging to a particular entity.

is distinctive to

Highlights the characteristic distinguishing feature of something.

is designated for

Emphasizes a formal assignment or intended use.

is reserved for

Implies a setting aside or keeping available for a specific purpose or entity.

is tailored to

Suggests a customized or adapted nature for a particular need.

is custom-made for

Emphasizes that something was specifically created to match unique requirement.

is exceptional for

Highlights something remarkable because of a specific attribute.

is remarkable for

Focuses on the noteworthy quality of something.

is significant for

Emphasizes the importance or consequence for a specific reason.

is notable for

Indicates prominence or recognition due to a particular characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "is special for" in a sentence?

Use "is special for" to indicate that something has unique attributes or a purpose designated specifically for it. For example, "This tool is special for removing splinters".

What can I say instead of "is special for"?

You can use alternatives like "is unique to", "is distinctive to", or "is designated for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is special for" or "is special to"?

"Is special for" indicates purpose or attribute, while "is special to" signifies personal significance or affection. For example, "This day is special for celebrating our anniversary" versus "This day is special to me because it's my birthday".

What’s the difference between "is special for" and "is important for"?

"Is special for" implies a unique quality or exclusive designation, whereas "is important for" simply indicates significance or necessity. Use "is special for" when highlighting distinctiveness. For example, "This ingredient is special for this dish" versus "This ingredient is important for a balanced diet".