ESPECIALLY STRANGEUse the word especially without sounding strange

MISUSED AND MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS

Lesson 1: Look, Watch, See

Lesson 2: Talking Naturally About Nature

Lesson 3: We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This!

Lesson 4: Get Married and Throw a Party

Lesson 5: Especially Strange Today's Lesson

Lesson 6: Are you Coming or Going?

Lesson 7: To and Fro with To and For

Lesson 8: A, An, The,or....?

LET'S BEGIN BY LOOKING AT THE DEFINITION

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Teacher: Have the student read both definitions and example sentences (skip the synonyms)

TWO MORE USES OF ESPECIALLY 1. Especially can mean for a particular purpose or person, or 2. Especially can be used as an intensifier (to enhance the meaning of the word it is modifying). For example:

"Jenny's clothes were designed especially for her. So, she looks especially great."

NOTE: Particularly can be substituted for all four uses of especially.

Try using "particularly" in the examples above and on the previous slide.

Teacher: Have the student read the entire slide aloud. Then have them substitute "particularly" for "especially" when they reread the sentences in

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4 USES: TO SINGLE OUT, EMPHASIZE, A SPECIAL PURPOSE OR PERSON, OR AS "VERY MUCH"

Let's look at a misuse of the word especially:

"I enrolled to the University of Kyoto especially the Environmental Economics."

correction: "I enrolled at the University of Kyoto to study Environmental Economics."

Explanation of corrections: The original sentence mentions the location (where)the student enrolled. Use “at” with a specific location, “in” with a program or course. Another option is to mention the program first. Then the sentence becomes, “I enrolled in the Environmental Economics program at Kyoto University."

continued...

Teacher: Have the student read the next four slides aloud

EXAMPLES: TO SINGLE OUT,TO EMPHASIZE

She wasn't in the habit of discussing such things - especially with strangers. (single out)

I am especially worried about the team's weak pitching. (emphasize)

EXAMPLES: A SPECIAL PERSON/PURPOSE,TO MEAN "VERY MUCH"

This lab was designed especially for stem cell research. (special purpose)

The pumpkin head costume was especially strange. (very)

Look at the sentence we discussed earlier (above).

• Environmental Economics can’t be singled out of anything else mentioned in the sentence. If the student had mentioned other courses they would be taking then “especially” could have been used.

• It is correct to say, “Kyoto University has several programs which promote ecological and economic well-being, especially Environmental Economics.” In this case, the Environmental Economics program is being identified (singled out) as an example. Do you see how the word “particularly” can be substituted for “especially” in this new sentence?

• Can particularly be used in the first sentence?

• TIP: If you can't use "particularly" you can’t use especially.

"I enrolled in the Environmental Economics program at the University of Kyoto."

Have the student read the slide aloud. Answer: No. Have the student try adding particularly, "Particularly, I enrolled in..., I particularly enrolled in...., ...in the particularly ..., etc. Make sure the student sees that the sentence isn't comparative.

" I have difficulty understanding them, especially on the phone."

“Especially I want to learn English.”

Look at the sentences belowHow is "upbeat music" being singled out or emphasized? The sentence doesn't tell us, does it? How can the sentence be improved?

“Especially I prefer listening to upbeat music.”

Is this sentence okay? (It is a lot like the first sentence on this page) What can be done to improve the sentence?

Is this sentence okay? Can you substitute another synonym for especially in this sentence? Try it!: particularly, usually, primarily

Teacher: Have the student read and discuss each sentence. Key: 1. No, Example, "I prefer listening to music than watching movies, especially upbeat music., 2. No.

example,"I am especially interested in learning English., 3. Yes! and particularly can be substituted for especially nicely. "Usually" and "primarily" are okay but work better at the beginning of the sentence, "I usually have difficulty understanding

them on the phone."

A SIMILAR WORD: SPECIFICALLY

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Teacher: Have the student read the slide below

SPECIFICALLY NOT ESPECIALLY

Look at the misuse of the word especially again:

"I enrolled to the University of Kyoto especially the Environmental Economics."

Especially doesn't work in the sentence, but specifically does:

"I enrolled at the University of Kyoto specifically for the Environmental Economics (program)."

Especially can be confused with specifically.

Teacher: Have the student read the slide aloud

ESPECIALLY OR SPECIFICALLY?

I like traveling ____by train.

Hint: (if you need one) Some answers may have more than one correct answer!

Especially is to single out, to emphasize, for a special purpose or person, or to mean "very much."

Specifically means uniquely, precisely, or solely

*Explain to your teacher which meaning of especially or specifically are being used (complete definitions are on slides 3, 4, and 10 ).

I'm here ____ to study.

My trainer said I ____ needed to strengthen my core (muscles).

Choose the correct word:

Have the student read and complete the sentences aloud. Answers: 1. especially, 2. specifically, 3. both Have the student explain why (refer them to slides 3,4 and 10 if needed)

One last thing! If you want to stress the distinctive purpose of something, then special or specially is the word you are looking for.

Teacher: Have the student read this slide aloud and come up with a sentence for the picture which uses "special" or "specially." Example, "This bridge was a special

collaboration.," or "These specially selected rocks are both durable and beautiful."

DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Use these templates or create your own to make sentences using especially, specifically, and specially.

I like food, _______ (noun). (single out)

It was an ______ good/bad (noun) . (emphasize)

The (noun) was made _______ to/for (verb+ing, or pronoun). (special purpose or person)

I am (not) ______ fond of (noun, verb+ing, or pronoun). (very)

I ______ asked them to (verb). (unambiguously =clearly, precisely)

Look for the _______ marked boxes. (in a unique manner)

Teacher: Have the student read aloud and complete the sentences below. Sample answers on the next

slide

Students can use these templates or create their own sentences using especially, specifically, and specially.

I like food, especially Hungarian. (single out)

It was an especially good/bad presentation. (emphasize)

The equipment was made especially for (diving, or them). (special purpose or person)

I am (not) especially fond of (red meat, hiking, or him). (very)

I specifically asked them to drive. (unambiguously =clearly, precisely)

Look for the specially marked boxes. (in a unique manner)

Sample Answers. Teacher version only

This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk, Inc., and author of

http://www.myvirtualenglish.com

That's it!We hope you found

this especially helpful!