specially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "specially" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb used to indicate something that was done in a particular and deliberate way, usually used in conjunction with a verb. For example: "I specially chose this gift for you as a token of our friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Between sips, you can place that beer on specially designed stands that reside here, next to each of the dozens of classic video arcade games of your youth (or maybe your older brother or sister's youth).

The Guardian - Travel

Specially trained dogs, sent in from the United States and Mexico, sniffed for the living and the dead under the blinding sun.

The Guardian

One piece, a vast six-foot high sculpture made from steel by Conrad Shawcross, dominates the RA courtyard, while a specially commissioned work by Turner-nominated Jim Lambie sees the gallery's central staircase transformed into a multi-coloured artwork.

The Guardian - Arts

"Although Roche proposed a discount to the full list price of Kadcyla, it made little difference to its value for money, leaving it well above the top of our specially extended range of cost-effectiveness for cancer drugs," said Sir Andrew Dillon, Nice's chief executive.

The Guardian

Beneath the eye of eternity, he becomes momentarily modest: "I don't think I'm particularly brave or have had a specially extraordinary experience.

The Guardian

Designed Your edition is specially adapted to your tablet, whether you're using iPad, Android or Kindle Fire.

The Guardian

Often described as "para-documentaries", his films present revealing multiple perspectives conjured from archival finds and specially created evocative footage.

The Guardian - Arts

Emergency services were still attempting to free the last of the trapped passengers four hours after the incident, using a specially constructed platform to reach the carriage.

The Guardian - Travel

Specially commissioned films chart the creation of the costumes and there are displays of national costumes from Malaysia, Ghana, Australia, Canada and England.

The Guardian

For the South African tournament in 2010, the BBC's coverage featured a specially commissioned piece by the London band Dallas Guild.

The Guardian - Music

The result is the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, a social enterprise based in Kumasi, southern Ghana, where strong, lightweight and durable bikes are made out of bamboo and built by an ever-growing team of young people specially trained for the role.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specially" to emphasize that something was created or done with a particular purpose or intention in mind. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "specially" when you mean "especially". "Especially" means 'particularly' or 'above all', whereas "specially" refers to something done for a specific purpose. Choose the word that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "specially" functions to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating that an action or attribute is tailored for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "specially" indicates that something is created or done with a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, notably in news and media, as well as formal business settings. While similar to "especially", "specially" emphasizes intention, demanding precision in its application. Remember to use "specially" when you want to highlight the specific purpose for which something was designed or done.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particularly

Focuses on distinguishing a specific instance or aspect, similar to "specially" when indicating a unique purpose, but carries a broader application.

especially

Highlights a specific case or situation, akin to "specially" when emphasizing unique treatment but with a wider range of applications.

specifically

Emphasizes precision and detail, aligning with "specially" in indicating a particular intent but more direct and less nuanced.

uniquely

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of something, akin to "specially" but underscores the exceptional character of the subject.

expressly

Highlights clear and direct purpose, close to “specially” when indicating explicit intention but less versatile.

deliberately

Emphasizes intentionality, like "specially" when denoting a pre-planned action but focuses on the act of choosing.

purposefully

Indicates a clear aim or intention, echoing "specially" in expressing deliberate design but more generally applied.

intentionally

Highlights the planned nature of an action, similar to "specially" when underscoring deliberate creation.

in particular

Singles out a specific item or aspect, mirroring "specially" when designating a specific focus but in a broader context.

for a special purpose

Clearly states the designated intent, like “specially” but as a phrase instead of an adverb.

FAQs

How is "specially" used in a sentence?

"Specially" is used to indicate that something is done or made for a specific purpose. For example, "This tool was "specially designed" for this task."

What is the difference between "specially" and "especially"?

"Specially" means 'for a particular purpose', while "especially" means 'particularly' or 'above all'. Choose "specially" when something is tailored for a specific reason, and "especially" when highlighting something as noteworthy. In cases of confusion, you may consider synonyms "particularly" or "uniquely" to improve clarity.

What can I say instead of "specially"?

Depending on the context, you could use "particularly", "especially", "specifically", or "uniquely" as alternatives to "specially".

Is it correct to say "specially made"?

Yes, "specially made" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means something has been made for a specific purpose or to certain specifications. For example, "This cake was "specially made" for your birthday."