it was especially so

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was especially so' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something was particularly true or the case, especially in comparison to other things. For example, you could say, "The park was beautiful, but it was especially so in the early morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But it was especially so tonight.

The New York Times

It was especially so Friday on a hard, challenging course.

The New York Times - Sports

Secret law is unsettling in any context, but it was especially so in this one.

The Guardian

It was especially so in this production because the actors' voices were heavily amplified through body microphones.

The New York Times - Arts

Gender-confirmation surgery is always a risky procedure, but it was especially so for Lee, who had recently had her prostate removed after a battle with prostate cancer.

The New Yorker

It was especially so with 28.2 seconds remaining when San Antonio held a five point lead and were on the verge of wrapping up the franchise's fifth title.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Starcraft has been popular worldwide since its release in 1998, but it's especially so in South Korea, where it has sold some 4.5 million copies and launched a professional e-sports league that lasted 14 years.

HuffPost

Such dehumanization is unacceptable in any culture, but it is especially so in the Arab world.

The New Yorker

It is especially so for successful single women looking for heterosexual relationships.

The New York Times

It is especially so in Europe's biggest economy, Germany, whose sluggish performance blights that of others.

The Economist

"It is only because they have more confidence and it is especially so with Wayne Rooney because he has scored seven goals in a row.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was especially so" to emphasize a specific instance or condition where something is more pronounced than usual. It's effective for adding nuance and highlighting particular situations.

Common error

Avoid using "it was especially so" in overly simple sentences where a more direct adjective would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead of "The day was warm, and it was especially so at noon," try "The day was warmest at noon."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was especially so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding statement to emphasize the degree or extent to which it is true. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was especially so" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a prior statement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and utility. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. When using "it was especially so", aim to add emphasis without unnecessary verbosity. Similar phrases, such as "it was particularly the case", can offer stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was particularly the case

Replaces "especially so" with "particularly the case", emphasizing the specific instance.

it was exceptionally so

Substitutes "especially" with "exceptionally", indicating something out of the ordinary.

it was notably so

Substitutes "especially" with "notably", highlighting the noticeable aspect.

it was markedly so

Changes "especially" to "markedly", indicating a distinct degree.

it was emphatically so

Substitutes "especially" with "emphatically", indicating a strong assertion.

it was acutely so

Replaces "especially" with "acutely", suggesting a sharp or intense degree.

it was uniquely so

Replaces "especially" with "uniquely", emphasizing distinctiveness.

that was particularly true

Alters the structure to emphasize the truth of a particular instance.

it was singularly so

Changes "especially" to "singularly", implying uniqueness.

that was especially the situation

Rephrases to focus on the specific situation being heightened.

FAQs

How can I use "it was especially so" in a sentence?

You can use "it was especially so" to emphasize that something was particularly true or intense in a specific situation. For example, "The music was loud, but "it was especially so" during the concert's finale".

What phrases are similar to "it was especially so"?

Similar phrases include "it was particularly the case", "it was notably so", or "it was exceptionally so". These alternatives can add variety to your writing.

Is there a difference between "it was especially so" and "it was particularly so"?

While both phrases are very similar, "it was especially so" might imply a broader range of conditions, whereas "it was particularly so" may emphasize a specific detail or aspect. Both are often interchangeable, but context matters.

Can "it was especially so" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "it was especially so" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the context warrants the emphasis. Overuse can dilute its impact. Choose alternatives if the emphasis isn't crucial.