One of the common mistakes that students make in writing or speaking is confusing the words “specially” and “especially.” Although these two words share a similar meaning, they are used differently, and their application will depend on the context in which they are used.
“Specially” is an adverb that describes the way something is done. It is used to describe a particular action or manner of performing a task. For instance, “She dressed up specially for the occasion.” In this context, “specially” means that the person went out of their way to dress up, and they did it uniquely for this occasion.
On the other hand, “especially” is used to point out something notable or distinct. It is used to describe something that is different or unique compared to other aspects of the topic under discussion. For instance, “I love my job, especially the part where I meet new people.” In this context, “especially” means that the speaker loves everything about their job, but the part where they meet new people is significant and stands out.
Teaching students about how to use “especially” and “specially” can be achieved through various activities such as sentence construction, dialogue writing, and playing games. An effective way of teaching students to differentiate the words is by breaking the concepts down into easy-to-understand scenarios.
For instance, when teaching the word “specially,” a teacher may use the following statements:
1. “I cooked this meal specially for you.”
2. “I ordered this dress specially for tonight’s party.”
3. “I sanitized this room specially for the visiting kids.”
In these statements, the word “specially” means that something was done uniquely or exclusively for the occasion. Similarly, when teaching the word “especially,” a teacher may use the following statements:
1. “I love my sister’s paintings, especially the one with the rainbow.”
2. “I enjoy singing in the choir, especially during the Christmas season.”
3. “I prefer traveling by train, especially during the autumn season.”
In these statements, the word “especially” is used to generate emphasis on one aspect of the topic under discussion.
In conclusion, teaching students about the proper use of the words “especially” and “specially” can go a long way in improving their communication skills. Through fun activities and examples, teachers can help students understand the distinctions between these two commonly confused words. By mastering the usage of these words, students will enhance their ability to communicate effectively and express their thoughts and ideas accurately.
