Question

difference between specially and especially

Answer 1

specially means for a special purpose.

"a new coat and hat, bought specially"

especially is used to single out one person or thing over all others.

"he despised them all, especially Sylvester"

Answer 2

1. Especially should be used prior to prepositions and conjunctions.

2. Specially is used when a past participle is in the sentence.

3. Especially can be replaced with the synonym ‘particularly’.

4. Specially implies intention.

5. Specially can be defined as a designated purpose.

6. Especially is more commonly inappropriately used.

7. Especially can be used in fragments.

Most of the time there is little or no difference between the words especially and specially. Special is a common adjective. Specially is its adverb form. Special means "particular, distinguished in a distinct way, or designed for a particular purpose.

Basically, "specially" means "for a special purpose".

Examples:
"This suit was made specially for me."
"The candles were bought specially for the party."
"The house was specially built to resist fire."

"Especially" means "more than usual or more than others."

Examples:
"The car was not especially expensive."
"I like fruit, especially apples."
"This is a small house to live in, especially if you have children."

However, nowadays these two words are often used the same way.