Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / July 2005

Generally speaking, non-native speakers get hung up on the adverb forms
of these words: especially, specially. It's the first time I've seen
this question with the adjectives.

Here's the best explanation I've found...

194 especial(ly) and special(ly), pg.187

*Especial(ly)* and *special(ly)* can often both be used with the same
meaning.

It was not (e)specially cold.

*Especially* is used to mean 'above all'.

I play a lot of tennis, especially on Sundays.
It rains a lot, especially in the north.
The children are very noisy, especially when we have visitors.
I like all kinds of fruit, especially apples.

*Especially* follows a subject.

All my family likes music. My father, especially, goes to as many
concerts as he can. (NOT...Especially my father goes...)

*Specially* is used to mean 'for a particular purpose'.

These shoes were specially made for me.

The adjective *especial* is rare. We normally use *special.*

He took special trouble over his work.

SOURCE: Practical English Usage, 2nd edition, Michael Swan